Nickname: No information
Date of Birth: 27.02.1890 - Straßburg, Elsaß (German Empire)
Date of Death: 22.05.1945 - Sulęcin near Liepāja, Kurland, Latvia (suicide to avoid capture by Soviet troops in the Courland Pocket)
Battles and Operations: World War I (Western Front and infantry actions), Freikorps operations in the Baltic region (1919), Western Campaign (1940 as staff officer), Operation Barbarossa, Leningrad front (capture of Luga and Krasnogvardeisk), Battle of Kursk (Operation Citadel), defensive battles on the Eastern Front, Courland Pocket
NSDAP-Number: 3.995.130 (01.05.1937)
SS-Number: 266.184 (30.04.1935)
Religion: No information
Parents: Alfred Krüger (army colonel in the Kingdom of Prussia), mother unknown
Siblings: Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger (younger brother, SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS, Ritterkreuzträger)
Spouse: No information
Children: No information
Promotions:
01.04.1900 Kadett
00.00.1907 Fähnrich
18.03.1908 Leutnant
25.02.1915 Oberleutnant
18.08.1917 Hauptmann
00.12.1933 SA-Standartenführer
30.04.1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer
30.01.1939 SS-Standartenführer
01.01.1940 SS-Oberführer
20.04.1941 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
30.01.1942 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
21.06.1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS
Career:
00.00.1900: Kadettenanstalten Karlsruhe und Berlin-Lichterfelde
00.00.1908: Leutnant, 2. badischen Grenadier-Regiment 110
00.08.1914: Bataillon Adjutant
Füsilier-Regiment «Prinz Charles Anton von Hohenzollern» Nr 40
Preussische Jäger-Regiment 2
00.00.1918: Hauptmann und Bataillonskommandeur
00.01.1919: Freikorps, Baltikum, Abt Pfeffer, Westfälische Freikorps, Kurland
00.00.1920-.00.12.1920: MG Kompanie, Schützen-Regiment Nr. 13
00.00.1921: joined the Stahlhelm
00.12.1933: joined the SA
00.00.1935: entered the SS-Verfügungstruppe as SS-Obersturmbannführer, Führer, II. Bataillon, SS-Standarte "Germania"
01.05.1937: entered the NSDAP
00.05.1937: Kdr, II./ SS Standarte 2
00.05.1937-00.10.1937: Lehrer, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
00.10.1937: Offizier, Stab, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland'
00.11.1937: Kdr, IV./ SS-Standarte 'Deutschland'
00.11.1938: Kdr, SS Standarte z.b.V., Ellwangen
00.08.1939: SS-Standartenführer, Ia, SS-Polizei-Division, Western campaign
00.08.1940-00.09.1940: Lehrer, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
00.10.1940: SS-Führungshauptamt in Berlin
25.05.1941-25.06.1941: SS-Brigadeführer, Führer, 1. SS-Brigade (mot)
10.08.1941-15.12.1941: SS-Brigadeführer, Kommandeur, SS-Polizei-Division, Leningrad
16.12.1941: Inspekteur der Infanterie, SS-Führungshauptamt
00.02.1942: Kdr, Amtsgruppe C, SS-FHA
03.04.1943: SS-Gruppenführer, Kommandeur, SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich", Bjelgorod
00.12.1943: SS-Gruppenführer, Kommandierender General, IV. SS-Panzerkorps
15.03.1944-24.07.1944: SS-Gruppenführer, Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS, Kommissariat "Ostland"
25.07.1944: SS-Obergruppenführer, Kommandierender General, VI. Waffen-Armeekorps der SS, Nordabschnitt
22.05.1945: suprised by soviet troops in a forest, committed suicide
Awards and Decoartions:
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (1914) - 28.09.1914
Ritter II. Klasse des Ordens vom Zähringer Löwen - 12.03.1915
Militärverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (1914) - 23.12.1916
Kreuz für Verdienste im Kriege
Ritter des Königlich Preußischen Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern - 24.06.1918
Militärverdienstorden III. Klasse mit Schwertern
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold (1918)
Baltenkreuz 2. Klasse
Baltenkreuz 1. Klasse
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer - 1934
Deutsches Reiterabzeichen in Silber
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
SS-Ehrenring
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 4. Stufe (4 Jahre) - 30.04.1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 - 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 - 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse (1914) - 13.06.1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse (1914) - 22.06.1940
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #734 (13.12.1941) as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur SS-Polizei-Division. Krüger received the award for his division's outstanding performance during the opening phases of Operation Barbarossa on the Leningrad front. He assumed formal command on 10 August 1941, but the citation highlighted the unit's decisive breakthroughs and captures achieved under his energetic leadership in the preceding weeks of intense summer fighting.
In the dense forests and marshy terrain south of Leningrad, the SS-Polizei-Division advanced against stubborn Soviet defenses along the Luga River line. Soviet forces had fortified the area with extensive fieldworks, artillery positions, and repeated counterattacks by infantry and armored elements. Under Krüger's direction the division fought through these obstacles in brutal close-quarters combat, securing the key town of Luga by late July and pressing onward despite heavy casualties from sniper fire, minefields, and determined Red Army resistance. By late August the division reached and captured Krasnogvardeisk (modern Gatchina), a critical road and rail hub that opened the path for the German encirclement efforts around Leningrad. Krüger's calm coordination of infantry assaults, artillery support, and rapid exploitation of breakthroughs turned potential stalemates into advances, tying down large Soviet formations and contributing directly to the isolation of Leningrad. The division's success in these actions, achieved despite logistical strains and fierce opposition, formed the core justification for the award.
Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille) - 1942
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3. Stufe (8 Jahre) - 30.04.1943
Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #286 (31.08.1943) as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich". Krüger’s Eichenlaub recommendation reads as follows: “SS-Gruppenführer Krüger has led the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. ‘Das Reich’ since the 12.04.1943. In December 1941 he was awarded the Knight’s Cross before Leningrad as the commander of the SS-Pol.Div. During the German offensive operation ‘Citadel’, which took place near Belgorod in the time period 05.-16.07.1943, the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. ‘Das Reich’ had the mission of breaking through the heavily fortified 1st and 2nd Soviet defensive lines between Belgorod and Tomarowka while advancing on the right wing of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. ‘LSSAH’. It would then press on to Prokhorovka.
Particularly bad weather conditions in the days before the assault muddied up the advance routes, and strong Russian forest defenses hindered the carrying out of the mission. However through the scrupulously conducted preparations (in the form of planning exercises) by Gruppenführer Krüger, as well as his energetic leadership after the start of the assault, it was possible to break through the first line on the first day of the attack. The second Soviet line fell on the following day, an event which enabled the Division to launch a swift thrust to the north.
After the Division had already pressed on further to the north and captured the villages of Lutschki and Kalinin, a crisis suddenly emerged in the deep, open right flank of the Division. This was overcome with swift retaliatory action, thanks to the pronounced calm and determination of the divisional commander. The incessant waves of attacking Soviet tank masses were smashed, and following the employment of the last reserves a viable defense was built up. The destruction of 212 tanks was the success of the day. By rerouting the Panzer-Regiment in these critical hours the Division succeeded in thrusting into the flank and rear of the enemy, and through this Gruppenführer Krüger was able to turn a crisis into a total victory. This was recognized with a special order of the day by the supreme commander of the 4. Panzerarmee.
In the continued fighting on the 14.-15.07.1943, following additional defensive successes to the north, the Division succeeded in launching a surprise attack towards the east against Praworot. Despite difficult road conditions it was able to establish contact with the 7. Panzer-Division, which was coming up from the south further to the east. With this the encirclement of enemy forces in the right flank of the Korps was pulled off. SS-Gruppenführer Krüger had a major share in the success of this attack through his personal influence on the conduct of combat.
After the Division had been pulled out and sent to the Mius front, Gruppenführer Krüger received a new mission. With his Division on the right wing of the Korps, he was to clean up the enemy penetration position along the Mius and reach the river itself. Despite bad weather and road conditions, strong enemy hilltop positions and a fierce defense, Gruppenführer Krüger again succeeded in breaking through the strong enemy field positions with his Division.
Through the capture of the grimly defended strongpoint of Stepanowka, and the pursuit after the fleeing enemy by the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. ‘Das Reich’ (both on the 02.08.1943), the Korps was able to push the Soviets back across the Mius and retake the old German defensive line. SS-Gruppenführer Krüger once more had a decisive share in these successes (which led to the destruction of 26 tanks and the capture of 1400 prisoners) by his personal actions and their influence on the fighting.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #120 (11.01.1945) as SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS and Kommandierender General VI.SS-Freiwilligen-Armeekorps. The following telex transcript, written by General der Infanterie Carl Hilpert (commander of the 16. Armee), describes the actions by Walter Krüger that led to him receiving the Schwerter:
“Subject: Additional leadership deeds of Eichenlaub holder SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Krüger, commanding general of the VI. SS-Korps.
On the 3rd day of the Third Battle of Courland, following an overwhelming artillery barrage, the Russians launched a surprise attack against the front of Gruppe Henze, which was defended by security units and Latvian troops. Already by the midday hours the Russian 19th Tank Corps had succeeded in breaking through the main line and penetrating as far as the artillery positions. SS-Obergruppenführer Krüger dispatched the handful of available Korps reserves to help the Batterien, which were engaged in close combat.
Even so, by the evening of the 23.12.1944 the Russians had succeeded in tearing open a hole at the boundary between Gruppe Henze and the 19th Latvian SS-Division. Their aim was to expand their breakthrough in a northwesterly direction and thereby collapse the northern wing of the 16. Armee. In this dark hour General Krüger ruthlessly weakened his own right wing and threw the units of the 93. Infanterie-Division freed up by this action (namely Grenadier-Regiment 174) against the enemy. However this did not succeed in closing the frontline gap. Thus, despite the impending danger to the left wing of his Korps, General Krüger decided to take the Armee level reserves previously employed in the area of the 19. Latvian SS-Division and use them for a counterattack into the deep right flank of the Russian assault wedge.
Success: The friendly elements that were encircled in Trenci were relieved, and the enemy called off further advances against our left wing during the night. Thus in the following days they commenced a major attack against the entire centre of the Korps’ frontage with strong tank forces (including elements of an additional Tank Corps), and in doing so they broke through the left wing of the 19. Latvian Division and carried on their advance towards Lestene through forest and swamp. Only minor elements of the 227. Division held their ground in the break-in area as an island of resistance. The danger of an operational breakthrough was still present, as our troops had become exhausted following days of fighting and were visibly decreasing in their defensive capabilities. In this situation the leadership would have to show iron resolve.
General Krüger steadfastly stood by his decision to use his last available reserve, a Kampfgruppe of the 4. Pz.Div., to attack in this great defensive battle despite all the other crises that were going on. This decision, maintained only with great difficulty, turned the tide of the battle. The enemy was hit hard in his area of main effort and pushed back. Through the infliction of high losses in the process (including well over 100 tanks) they were forced to suspend their attack.
On the night of the 27./28.12.1944, a firmly constructed defensive line was finally established, and it defied the last attacks of the 11 day Third Battle of Courland. After multiple major crises, a great defensive success was ultimately achieved. General der Waffen-SS Krüger showed outstanding merit in this battle through his firm leadership and unwavering toughness.
I ask that this outstanding performance as a leader be recognized accordingly.”
Ärmelband Kurland - 1945
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Walter Krüger was a German Waffen-SS general during the Nazi era who rose to the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS. Born on 27 February 1890 in Straßburg in Alsace-Lorraine within the German Empire, he was the son of a Prussian army colonel and the elder brother of Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger, who later became another prominent SS general and Ritterkreuzträger. Krüger served with distinction in both world wars, commanding large formations on the Eastern Front in the second conflict and earning the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords for his leadership in critical defensive and offensive operations. He committed suicide on 22 May 1945 in a forest near Sulęcin close to Liepāja in the Courland Pocket, choosing death over capture by advancing Soviet forces just days after the German surrender in Europe.
Krüger entered the Prussian cadet corps in 1900 and attended institutions in Karlsruhe and Berlin-Lichterfelde before being commissioned as a Leutnant in 1908 with the 2nd Badisches Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 110. During World War I he served initially as a battalion adjutant and later as a company and battalion commander on the Western Front, where he was wounded twice and accumulated a series of Imperial German decorations including both classes of the Iron Cross, the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Zähringer Lion, and the Prussian House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords. After the armistice he joined Freikorps units in the Baltic region in 1919, fighting Bolshevik forces in Kurland with formations such as Abteilung Pfeffer and the Westfälisches Freikorps. He briefly returned to the Reichswehr as a machine-gun company commander before leaving active service in 1920 to join the Stahlhelm veterans' organization, where he remained active until the early 1930s.
In December 1933 Krüger entered the Sturmabteilung as a Standartenführer and transferred to the SS-Verfügungstruppe in April 1935 with the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer, taking command of the second battalion of SS-Standarte Germania. He served as an instructor at the SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz and held various regimental commands before becoming operations officer of the SS-Polizei-Division in 1939, a role in which he helped prepare the unit for the Western Campaign. His steady rise through the SS ranks reflected both his Imperial Army experience and his early commitment to the National Socialist movement, including joining the NSDAP in 1937. By January 1940 he had reached SS-Oberführer and was positioned for higher field commands as the war expanded eastward.
Krüger assumed command of the SS-Polizei-Division on 10 August 1941 while it was engaged with L. Armeekorps of the 18. Armee on the Leningrad front during Operation Barbarossa. In the dense forests and marshy terrain south of the city, Soviet forces had constructed formidable defensive lines along the Luga River supported by artillery, minefields, and repeated armored counterattacks. Under his direction the division fought through these positions in grueling close-quarters combat, securing the key town of Luga by late July despite heavy losses from sniper fire and determined Red Army resistance. By late August the unit captured Krasnogvardeisk, a vital road and rail junction that facilitated the German encirclement efforts around Leningrad. Krüger's calm coordination of infantry assaults, artillery barrages, and rapid exploitation of breakthroughs turned repeated stalemates into measurable advances, tying down large Soviet formations and contributing directly to the isolation of the city; for this leadership he received the Knight's Cross on 13 December 1941 as the 734th recipient.
In March 1943 Krüger took command of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Das Reich within II. SS-Panzerkorps and led it through the opening phases of Operation Citadel, the German offensive at Kursk. Amid torrential rains that transformed roads into quagmires and thick belts of forest bristling with anti-tank guns and bunkers, his grenadiers and panzers smashed through the first Soviet defensive line on 5 July in fierce hand-to-hand fighting under constant artillery and air attack. The second line fell the following day, enabling thrusts that seized villages such as Lutschki and Kalinin after bitter street battles. When strong Soviet tank waves threatened the open right flank, Krüger directed reserves from forward positions, wheeling his panzer regiment to strike the enemy armor in the flank and rear while defensive strongpoints absorbed the main assault; the division destroyed 212 Soviet tanks in the resulting melee and turned a potential rout into a local victory. Later actions on the Mius front saw his forces break through hilltop positions on 2 August, capture Stepanowka, pursue the retreating enemy across the river, destroy 26 tanks, and take 1,400 prisoners while restoring the German line. These achievements earned him the Oak Leaves on 31 August 1943 as the 286th recipient.
Krüger subsequently commanded IV. SS-Panzerkorps before serving as inspector general of Waffen-SS infantry troops and then taking charge of VI. SS-Freiwilligen-Armeekorps, composed largely of Latvian and Estonian volunteers, in the Courland Pocket. During the Third Battle of Courland in late December 1944 his sector faced a devastating Soviet artillery barrage followed by a breakthrough by the 19th Tank Corps that reached German artillery positions. Krüger committed his scant reserves into savage close-quarters fighting, thinned his own lines to free forces, and launched a counterattack with army-level reserves into the deep right flank of the penetration, relieving encircled troops in Trenci and sealing the gap overnight amid freezing snow. When another Soviet tank corps advanced through forest and swamp toward Lestene, he threw his final reserve—a Kampfgruppe from the 4. Panzer-Division—directly against the enemy main effort. Coordinated counterattacks across snow-covered terrain destroyed more than 100 Soviet tanks in running battles and re-established a continuous defensive line, blunting eleven days of assaults and preventing the collapse of the northern wing of 16. Armee. A telex from the army commander explicitly credited Krüger's unyielding personal leadership for the corps' success against vastly superior forces; for this he was awarded the Swords on 11 January 1945 as the 120th recipient. Surprised by Soviet troops while attempting to evade capture in a forest near Sulęcin on 22 May 1945, he ended his life rather than face imprisonment.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Krüger_(SS_general)
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/34579/Krüger-Walter-Waffen-SS.htm
https://grokipedia.com/page/Walter_Krüger_(SS_general)
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=22259
https://en.namu.wiki/w/발터_크뤼거
https://www.geni.com/
https://rk.balsi.de/index.php?action=list&cat=300
https://www.unithistories.com/units_index/index.php?file=/officers/personsx.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20091027052912fw_/http://geocities.com/orion47.geo/index2.html
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/
