Karl Wilhelm Krause
| Karl Wilhelm Krause | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
5 March 1911 Michelau, West Prussia, Germany |
| Died | 6 May 2001 (aged 90) Germany |
| Allegiance |
 Weimar Republic (1931–33) Nazi Germany (1933–45) |
| Service/branch |
.svg){kind=small} Reichsmarine (1931–34) LSSAH (1934–39 & 1940) Kriegsmarine (1939–43) Waffen-SS (1943–45) |
| Years of service | 1931–45 |
| Rank | Hauptsturmführer |
| Unit | 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Führerbegleitkommando; 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Norway |
| Awards |
Destroyer War Badge Narvik Shield Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class |
Karl Wilhelm Krause (5 March 1911 – 6 May 2001) was a Waffen-SS officer (SS number: 236,858) who rose to the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer (captain) during World War II. He was a personal orderly (valet) and bodyguard to Adolf Hitler from 1934 to mid-September 1939. Thereafter, he served in the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend. Krause came up with the concept of an anti-aircraft tank that became known as the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind. At the war's end he surrendered to American troops. Krause was interned until June 1946.
Krause was born in Michelau, West Prussia in March 1911. He studied cabinet making and architecture prior to joining the Reichsmarine (German navy) in 1931.
In 1934, Hitler chose Krause from a line-up of Reichsmarine sailors to be his personal orderly and bodyguard. Krause was given the rank of SS-Untersturmführer, made a member of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) and assigned to the Führerbegleitkommando unit which provided personal security for Hitler. He remained a reserve officer in the navy. Hitler called Krause his "Schatten" (shadow) as he was always behind Hitler at public appearances and followed him everywhere. Hitler informed Krause that he was under Hitler's personal command and that "no one must know what you see and hear". In early 1935, Krause trained Heinz Linge who Hitler had chosen to be an additional valet. On Christmas Eve 1937, Hitler and Krause sneaked out incognito together for a night in the city. Hitler was not recognized. Krause was reprimanded the following day by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler for allowing the escapade to go forward without reporting it.
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