Rudolf

Rudolf Trauch, born 29-03-1892 in Munich, entered the Königliche Bavarian Army on 15-07-1911 after finishing his cadet training, as a Fähnrich, age 18. The son of a an former Oberleutnant he joined the 1^st Königlich Bayerisches Train-Bataillon. After following the war school, he on 29-10-1912 became a Lieutenant. With the start of the first war he was adjutant in the 1^st Foot Artillery and later as a  Officer in the II Battalion of the I Königliche Bavarian Army Corps and hold this position until the end of the war. He married Erika Maria Trafy and one son was born, he was killed in action in 1943, and one daughter. He received both the Iron Crosses and remained in the new Reichswehr, promoted to Oberstleutnant on 18-01-1936 and to Oberst on 01-06-1938. With the outbreak of World War II he was the Chief of the Transport Troops in the OKW  and hold this command for three and a half year. He was temporary commander  of the Signals Troops with the High Quartermaster in Belgium from 22-05-1940 until 08-07-1940. He was awarded with the Clasp of the Iron Cross and returned to the OKW, Highest Command of the Wehrmacht. Promoted to Major General on 24-12-1941 and on 01-05-1943 appointed to Inspector of the Transport Troops with the Chief of the Army Office and Commander of the Reserve Army. In this position promoted to Lieutenant General on 01-12-1943 and hold the command until the end of the war as he was captured by the west Allied, in Mai 1945. Released he retired in Gräfeling, near munich,  Trauch died at the age of 78, on 17-04-1970 and is buried with his wife Erika, born Tragy, who died age 66, on 09-05-1962, on the Westfriedhof of Munich. Close by the graves of SA leader Edmund Heines (see Heines), Hitler’s pilot Hans Baur (see Baur), Generals Alfred Genz (see Genz) and Josef Kammhuber (see Kammhuber) SA leader Johannes Schweighart (see Schweighart), the founder of the NSDAP Anton Drexler (see Drexler) and SS Oberführer Otto Bradfisch (see Bradfisch).