Spang was considered ‘a difficult man’, assessed in April 1941 as being ‘very nervous, almost morbidly ambitious’.
CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Mentally deranged and showed signs of suicidal tendencies. Very anti-Nazi.’
76. GENERALLEUTNANT THEODOR GRAF VON SPONECK
Born Offenburg, 24.1.1896. RC. WWI: 12.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant, Garde-Grenadier-Reg.1, Western and Eastern Fronts; 5.7.1916 awarded Bavarian Military Max Josef Order. Reichswehr: Field and Staff; 1.1.1938 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.10.1938–14.12.1940, No. 1 Staff Officer, XV.Armeekorps; then until 26.1.1942 CO, Schützen-Reg.11; 12.9.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 22.9.1942 CO, 90.Light-Div.; 12.5.1943 PoW Tunisia; 1.6.1944–23.9.1944 Trent Park. Died Heidesheim an der Brenz, 13.7.1982.
Asessed by Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel on 11.2.1943: ‘Leader-type personality with strong character, firm in his resolve and actions. Embodies as a soldier the ideology of National Socialism. Led his Division in difficult defensive actions and retreats in North Africa with prudence, skill and determination and proved himself again in the front line. Energetic mentally and physically and has élan.’
CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘This PoW is somewhat neurotic and very moody. One day he will be exceedingly talkative and amusing and the next he snoops around the place like a dog with his tail between his legs. He is a very talented painter and spends most of his time alone with his work. The ADCs say that he was the most popular General in North Africa with junior officers and the troops. He is one of the best types we have had pass through our hands. PoW is defeatist, anti-Nazi and a monarchist.’
77. GENERAL DER PANZERTRUPPEN WILHELM RITTER VON THOMA
Born Dachau, 11.9.1891. RC. Entered Army 23.9.1912. WWI: 3.Königlich-Bayerisches Inf.Reg., Western and Eastern Fronts (Serbia, Rumania, Russia), finally Oberleutnant and Comp. Cdr. Reichswehr: Mostly with 7.Bavarian Inf.Div.; 1.8.1936 Oberstleutnant; 1.4.1938 Oberst; September 1936 – May 1939, CO Ground Forces, Legion Condor, awarded by Franco Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords. WWII: 1939 CO, Pz.Reg.3, 2.Pz.Div., Poland; 1.8.1940 Generalmajor; from March 1940 – July 1941 General der Schnellentruppen at OKH; 17.7.1941–30.9.1941 CO, 17.Pz.Div.; 14.10.1941–21.7.1942 CO, 20.Pz.Div.; 31.12.1941 awarded Knight’s Cross; 1.8.1942 Generalleutnant; 1.11.1942 General der Panzertruppen; 1.9.1942–4.11.1942 Cmmdg Gen. Deutsches Afrika Korps; 4.11.1942 PoW Tel-el-Mapsra west of El Alamein (British); 19.11.1942 Trent Park; 17.6.1944 German Senior Officer, Trent Park. 1946 at Wilton Park, leg amputated, repatriated. Died Starnberg, 30.4.1948.
Assessed by Chief of Staff Generaloberst Franz Halder on 6.5.1941 as: ‘Warhorse. Front-line soldier through and through with inclination to be adventurous. Outstandingly practical with comprehensive technical knowledge and rich experience of battle. A man who knows how to help out in every situation and never loses his sense of humour. Outstandingly well proven at the front.’ On 22.3.1942 General Materna added: ‘A great character, energetic, independent leader-type personality, his personal commitment is an example to all and the best possible influence on officers and men. Very caring superior. A Divisional Commander upon whom one can always rely.’
CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Very intelligent and exeedingly well read. He has a striking personality and is violently anti-Nazi. Plays neither cards nor chess, but prefers to study art, history and politics. His reminiscences are as interesting as his political views and he has had many and varied contacts with all sorts of eminent people from New York actresses to Balkan monarchs. Entirely devoid of “side” and will not suffer fools gladly. He could be a great leader if only he possessed the ability to coordinate his ideas and the courage to support them by action.’
78. KONTERADMIRAL HANS UDO VON TRESCKOW
Born Wohlau, Silesia 25.6.1893. Entered Imperial Navy 1.4.1912. WWI: Served aboard battleship Deutschland, then as watchkeeping officer, UB-48, finally Oberleutnant zur See. Reichswehr: Various appointments, ship and shore; 1.10.1937 Kapitän zur See; 12.11.1938 CO, Gunnery Section, Kriegsmarine Yard, Wilhelmshaven. WWII: 13.8.1942 Naval Commandant, Seine-Somme; 13.9.1944 PoW Le Havre (British); 22.9.1944–25.10.1944 Trent Park. Repatriated 13.1.1947. Died Bückeburg, 5.1.1955.
CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘He was clearly not in agreement with Nazi doctrines, but felt he must still hope for a German victory even if this could only be achieved by a miracle. He belittled the extent of atrocities with which Germans are charged, and the number of people alleged to have carried them out. He does not agree with the scorched-earth policy ordered by the Nazis, but felt helpless in face of it.’
79. GENERALMAJOR WILHELM ULLERSPERGER
Born Regensburg, 6.8.1894. RC. WWI: 2.8.1914 entered Army, Leutnant Bavarian Pionierbataillon.1, fought in France, Serbia and Rumania. Reichswehr: Pioneer units; 1931 CO, fortification pioneers, Küstrin, Aschaffenburg and Weisen; 10.10.1937 Oberstleutnant. WWII: 1.9.1939–17.4.1940 CO, Pionier-Reg.7; 1.10.1940 Oberst; 18.4.1940–31.5.1942 CO, Pionier-Reg.667; 17.11.1941 awarded German Cross in Gold; 1.6.1942–21.3.1943 Senior Pionier-Offizier 3; 22.3.1943–25.5.1943 Pionierführer, 4.Armee; 16.6.1943–25.10.1943 Pionierführer, 1.Pz.Armee; 14.12.1943 Fortifications Pionierkommandeur 1; 1.8.1944 Generalmajor; 23.11.1944 PoW Strasbourg; 19.12.1944–10.4.1945 Trent Park, then USA. Died Bad Reichenhall, 16.5.1978.
CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘A Nazi-type, but well behaved and polite. He is unpopular with his fellow PW.’
80. GENERALMAJOR FRANZ VATERRODT
Born Diedenhofen, 24.9.1890. Entered Army 29.11.1909. WWI: Leutnant, Inf.Reg.137, finally Hauptmann and comp. cdr. Reichswehr: 1.10.1920 transferred to Baden Police; 1.10.1933 Oberst and CO, Baden Police; 1.8.1935 transferred into Army as Oberstleutnant and CO I./Inf.Reg.55. WWII: 26.8.1939–31.8.1940 CO, Inf.Reg.14 and 623; 20.8.1940–16.3.1941 CO, Landesschützen-Reg. Stab zbV 56 (Staff); 1.3.1941 Generalmajor; from 17.3.1941 Wehrmacht Commandant, Strasbourg; 25.11.1944 PoW Strasbourg; 30.12.1944 Trent Park; May 1945 transferred to USA.
Six months before he was taken prisoner his assessment reported: ‘Practical, very self-possessed personality. Convinced National Socialist. Proved himself as regimental commander in the crossing of the Upper Rhine. Advances the interests of the Wehrmacht with energy and flair… maintains good discipline in the field… occasionally by harsh punishment.’
CSDIC (UK) opinion: ‘Vaterrodt is anti-Nazi, extremly defeatist, and hopes that the war will be over very soon. He suffers from heart trouble and is a rather nervous though pleasant type.’
81. MAJOR HASSO VIEBIG
Born Neubrandenburg, 21.5.1914, brother of Wilhelm Viebig (below). Entered Army 21.5.1934; 1.4.1936 Leutnant. WWII: Hauptmann, served in Poland, France and Russia as regimental adjutant, battery cdr; from 1.9.42 General Staff training; 1.8.1943 Major, 2. Staff Officer, 24.Inf.Div.; 1.2.1944 1. Staff Officer, LXXXIV.Korps; 21.8.1944 PoW Falaise. Repatriated October 1946. 1947 Gehlen military intelligence; 1958 entered Bundeswehr; 30.9.1970 Brigade-General, retired as Deputy CO, 10.Pz.Div. Died Owingen, 16.9.1993.