German Leadership

Dead Hero - Rudolf Schmundt

Bundesarchiv.

Studio portrait of General Rudolf Schmundt. Schmundt was a highly decorated combat soldier in WW1. By WW2, his career had moved entirely into the realm of Staff. He spent a long period as the Fuhrer's Heer adjutant, and might just have come into the group of people (not many) who could be described as a friend of Hitler. This friendship came to an explosive end as a result of the July Plot. Schmundt was present at the fatal meeting and was seriously injured, dying about three months later as a result of his wounds. Hitler seems to have been affected by his loss. Uniquely among the "Bomb Plot" victims, Schmundt was awarded the German Order, First Class (the only class in which it was, in the event, awarded) posthumously. The German Order was perhaps the highest State/Party decoration, considered by the Fuhrer as being in his personal gift. It was known to many as the "Dead Heroes Order" because, of the eleven confirmed persons in receipt of it, seven received it posthumously, and a further two were killed shortly after. One of these, SA-Brigadefuhrer Karl Holz, Gauleiter of Franconia (in succession to Julius Streicher) was killed (or committed suicide) in Nuremberg during that city's "final battle" against US troops, just one day after being awarded the German Order. Best regards, JR.