Ludwig Crüwell

Ludwig Crüwell (20 March 1892 – 25 September 1958), was a German general known for his involvement with the Afrika Korps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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. Legally it was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Ludwig Crüwell. Crüwell was captured by the British on 29 May 1942, after his plane was forced to land.

Career
Crüwell became commander of the Afrika Korps on 31 July 1941, answering to General Erwin Rommel, who on the same day took command of Panzer Army Africa, consisting of one infantry and two panzer divisions.

On 29 May 1942, Crüwell was inspecting operations by air in Libya. His Fieseler Fi 156 pilot mistook British troops for Italian soldiers and landed. Although the pilot was fatally wounded, Crüwell survived and was taken prisoner. General Crüwell remained a prisoner and on March 22, 1943, was intentionally placed with another POW, General Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma (captured in November 1942 while in temporary command of the Afrika Korps), who during the meeting disclosed intelligence regarding the V-2 rocket, i.e.; surprise that London was not yet in ruins from German rockets being tested at a "special ground near Kummersdorf" he had visited. This led to the British investigating Peenemünde and following confirmation bombing raid the Peenemünde facilities

Awards

 * Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg
 * Silesian Eagle 1st Class
 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class (20 September 1914)
 * 1st Class (17 September 1916)
 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th to 1st Class
 * Panzer Badge in Silver
 * "Afrika" Cuffband
 * Silver Medal of Military Valor
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * 2nd Class (22 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (6 June 1940)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 14 May 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of the 11. Panzer-Division
 * 34th Oak Leaves on 1 September 1941 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 11. Panzer-Division
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 2 June 1942