Hans von Tettau

Who was Hans von Tettau?

Hans Bernhard Carl Otto von Tettau was a decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who held commands at the division and corps level. 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 battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Hans von Tettau was captured at the end of the war and was held until 1947. After his release he became a textile salesman and an author who wrote a book with General der Infanterie Kurt Versock called "The History of the 24th Infantry Division.

Despite his decorations, Von Tettau's reputation is debatable. Some German sources argue that Von Tettau had real little military experience up to his countermeasures at the Arnhem battle of 1944. Fellow generals spoke of Von Tettau -whos regular occupation was more that of an army inspector, than a commanding officer- in negative manners when he organised his defences in the Netherlands under the name 'Westgruppe', which was no formal army division at all. This was seen as a political move of Von Tettau to gain credit in Berlin.