Günther Pape

Günther Pape
Born(1907-07-14)14 July 1907
Died21 January 1986(1986-01-21) (aged 78)
Allegiance Nazi Germany
 West Germany
Service / branchArmy
Years of service1927–45
1956–66
RankGeneralmajor
CommandsPanzer-Grenadier-Division Feldherrnhalle
5th Panzer Division (Bundeswehr)
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Günther Pape (14 July 1907 – 21 January 1986) was a German general during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany.

Following World War II, Pape served in the Bundeswehr of West Germany. The force underwent a series of internal discussion and controversies which led to the "Generalkrise" (Crisis of the generals) in August 1966. Among other issues, the discussion was centered about the inner leadership of the Bundeswehr and the hierarchy of command between the Federal Ministry of Defence and the armed forces. The Inspector of the Luftwaffe General Werner Panitzki and Minister of Defence Kai-Uwe von Hassel resigned on 12 August 1966. Inspector General of the Bundeswehr General Heinrich Trettner resigned the next day followed shortly by Pape, who resigned out of loyalty to his commanding officers.[1]

Awards

References

Citations

  1. ^ Abenheim 1989, p. 170.
  2. ^ Thomas 1998, p. 142.
  3. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 343.
  4. ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 583.

Bibliography

  • Abenheim, Donald (1989). Bundeswehr und Tradition: die Suche nach dem gültigen Erbe des deutschen Soldaten — Band 27 von Beiträge zur Militär- und Kriegsgeschichte — Band 27 von Beiträge zur Militärgeschichte. Verlag Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. ISBN 3-486-55371-2.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Thomas, Franz (1998). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2: L–Z] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2300-9.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Panzer-Grenadier-Division Feldherrnhalle
Commander of Panzer-Division Feldherrnhalle (1)
8 July 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Commander of 5. Panzer-Division (Bundeswehr)
1 April 1960 – 30 June 1962 		Succeeded by
Generalmajor Albert Schnez