56. See also Christian Kehrt,
57. Sönke Neitzel,
58. BA/MA, Pers 6/6670.
59. BA/MA, Pers 6/9017.
60. Neitzel,
61. BA/MA, Pers 6/770. Freiherr von Adrian-Werburg received a similar evaluation; see 2 September 1943, BA/MA, Pers 6/10239.
62. Neitzel,
63. Ibid., p. 468.
64. BA/MA, Pers 6/6410.
65. Neitzel,
66. Cited in Förster, “Geistige Kriegführung im Deutschland 1919 bis 1945,” in
67. Report of Activity, Schmundt, 24–25 June 1943, p. 75.
68. See also the evaluations of Generals Friedrich von Broich and Walter Bruns in Neitzel,
69. Heribert van Haupt, “Der Heldenkampf der deutschen Infanterie vor Moskau,”
70. Hubert Hohlweck, “Soldat und Politik,”
71. Erich Murawski,
72. For example, Order No. 52 of 28 January 1944. See Walter Hubatsch, ed.,
73. Johannes Hürter,
74. In contrast to World War I, the Grand Cross was not used as a decoration for bravery. Although it was mentioned in a statute of decorations as an acknowledgment for decisive actions that changed the course of battles, Hermann Göring was the only person ever to receive one. That was to underscore his position as the Führer’s designated successor. There apparently were plans to award Heinrich Himmler one as well for his role as the commander of the Army Group Weichsel. But since he failed in that task, he was not decorated. Therefore, in World War II, the Grand Cross was a decoration for Nazi leaders who carried out military functions.
75. For exact statistics, see http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939–45.de/Sonstiges/Statistiken/Statistiken-Startseite.htm.
76. Manfred Dörr,
77. Christoph Rass,
78. For more information on cases that led to convictions, see Rass,
79. René Schilling,
80. Hartmann,
81. See Ralph Winkle,
82. SRA 177, 17 July 1940, TNA, WO 208/4118.
83. This became especially clear in the discussions surrounding the ordinances. Felix Römer, “Im alten Deutschland wäre ein solcher Befehl nicht möglich gewesen: Rezeption, Adaption und Umsetzung des Kriegsgerichtsbarkeitserlasses im Ostheer, 1941/42,”