Wilhelm Hasse

Who was Wilhelm Hasse?

Wilhelm Otto Oswald Hasse was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 17. Armee. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Wilhelm Hasse was wounded in May 1945 and was then captured by Soviet troops. He died of his wounds in captivity on 21 May 1945.