Kluge, Günther Adolf Ferdinand “Hans” von, born 30-10-1882 in Posen, into a Prussian military family. His father was Oberleutnant Max Kluge. Max, a Generalmajor in 1913 and his sons were exalted to nobility and their name became, von Kluge. Günther von Kluge on 02-10-1907 married Mathilde Marie, born Briesen, from another old nobility family von Briest/von Briesens. The couple had one son Günther and two daughters, Ester and Marie Louise. Mathilde von Kluge died 05-09-1965 in Überlingen. From 1909 until 1912 Günther Kluge joined the Kriegsakademie, the War School
and in 1913 assigned in the Großen Generalstab, Staff of the High Command. He as a Hauptmann was on the battlefields, Verdun, of the first war with the 46th Niedersächsischen Field Artillery Regiment. Von Kluge was allowed in the Reichswehr and in this inter-war period, he rose quickly through the ranks to Oberst in 1930, Generalmajor in 1933 and Generalleutnant the following year. After 1936, Kluge was given command of an army corps. His interest in mobile warfare soon won Hitler’s
(did you know) esteem and assured Kluge’s continued ascendance. Kluge disliked Hitler’s gangster like Nazi entourage and was appalled at the persecution of the Jews. (see Simon Wiesenthal)
and Settela Steinbach the Sinti girl in the Westerbork train.
He was among those many officers of the General Staff who feared Hitler’s warmongering would lead Germany to disaster. But like others, Kluge soon succumbed to Hitler’s spell as the Teflon Fùhrer won one spectacular victory after another. When it came to Poland, Kluge had for years bitterly resented the Versailles Treaty’s compensation of West Prussia to Poland and believed Germany was entitled to reclaim its eastern territories. As commander of the Sixth Army Group
, which became the German Fourth Army
, Kluge led the Sixth into battle in Poland in 1939. Though he opposed the initial German plan to attack westwards into France, he led the Fourth Army in its attack through the Ardennes that culminated in the fall of France. Kluge was promoted to Field Marshal on 10-07-1940.
Kluge commanded the Fourth Army at the opening of Operation Barbarossa, where he developed a strained relationship with Heinz Wilhelm Guderian
over tactical issues in the advance, accusing Guderian of frequent disobedience of his orders. On June 29 von Kluge ordered that, ‘Women in uniform are to be shot.’ After Fedor von Bock
was relieved of his command of Army Group Center in late 1941, Kluge was promoted and led that army group until he was injured in October 1943. Kluge frequently rode in an airplane to inspect the divisions under his command and sometimes relieved his boredom during the flights by hunting foxes from the air, a decidedly non-traditional method. On 30-10-1942, Kluge was the beneficiary of an enormous bribe from Hitler who mailed a letter of good wishes together with a huge cheque made out to him from the German treasury and a promise that whatever improving his estate might cost could be billed out to the German treasury. Kluge took the money, but after receiving severe criticism from his Chief of Staff, Henning von Tresckow
who upbraided him for his corruption, he agreed to meet Carl Goedeler
in November 1942. Goedeler was beheaded age 60 in the Plötzensee prison on 02-02-1945
. Kluge promised Goerdeler that he would arrest Hitler the next time he came to the Eastern Front, but then receiving another “gift” from Hitler, changed his mind and decided to stay loyal. Hitler, who seems to have heard that Kluge was dissatisfied with his leadership regarded his “gifts” as entitling him to Kluge’s total loyalty. Kluge was awarded with the 181st Oak Leaves on 18-01-1943 for his successful retreating battles. On 27-10-1943, Kluge was badly injured when his car overturned on the Minsk-Smolensk road. He was unable to return to duty until July 1944 and recovered on his estate in Böhne. He was temporary replaced by Generalfeldmarschall, Commander 16th Army, Ernst Busch
After his recovery he became commander of the German forces in the West as he succeeded Generalfeldmarschall der Panzer, Gerd von Rundstedt’s.
He was awarded with the 181st Oak Leaves on 18-01-1943 for his successful retreating battles. Kluge replaced Rundstedt, because Rundstedt was advocating negotiation with the Allies. Two weeks later, Generalfeldmarschall, Erwin Rommel






















Death and burial ground of Kluge, Günther Adolf Ferdinand “Hans” von.








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