Re: Western front-interesting bits of information
Military command of Berlin
From Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven book "In the Bunker"
General Helmuth Reymann had initially been appointed but was not really suitable (?), so a replacement was quickly sought.
Burgdorf proposed the appointment of a lieutenant colonel of GD division. About 30-year-old, holder of KC with Oak leaves.Hitler immediately agreed. By " good fortune" he had been wounded and was no longer available.
Next Hitler and Burgdorf agreed to target the name of colonel Ernst Kaether, chief of the staff of the Army NFSO. Several hours were sufficient to evaluate his capacities and to cancel his appointment.
Now Hitler turned to General Helmuth Weidling, commander of LVI Panzer Corps.There was no news of him for three days;then on the morning of 23 April the general called to make his report.Krebs duly informed that he was condemned to death for desertion.That same afternoon, the general appeared at the bunker to protest his innocence.Impressed by him, Hitler did an about turn and decided he was needed to conduct the defence of Berlin.
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