Hans von Tettau

Hans Bernhard Carl Otto von Tettau (30 November 1888 – 30 January 1956) 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 (the Allied Operation Market Garden). 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 (Verhoef, 2012).

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class (18 September 1914)
 * 1st Class (18 September 1915)
 * Knight's Cross of the Saxony Military Merit Order 2nd Class with Swords (During World War I)
 * Knight's Cross of the Albrecht Order 1st Class with Swords (During World War I)
 * Knight's Cross of the Friedrich Order 2nd Class with Swords (During World War I)
 * Knight's Cross of the Military Order of St. Henry (During World War I)
 * Wound Badge (1914)
 * in Black
 * Cross of Honor (30 December 1934)
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (22 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (5 October 1939)
 * Eastern Front Medal
 * Crimea Shield
 * German Cross in Gold (5 May 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 3 September 1942 as Generalleutnant and commander of 24. Infanterie-Division
 * 821st Oak Leaves on 5 April 1945 as Generalleutnant and commander of Korpsgruppe von Tettau