Kurt von Hammerstein (Hammerstein-Equord)

Hammerstein, Kurt von (Hammerstein-Equord), (1878-1943), Colonel-General Germanic army, one of the leaders of the Reichswehr, the Army chief. Born September 26, 1878 in Hinrihshagene. During the 1-st World War II, he served in the General Staff. In 1930, General Wilhelm Heye was replaced as commander of ground forces of the Reichswehr. A capable, brave and honest officer, Hammerstein believed that his duty - a ministry of homeland. He has openly shown his contempt for Hitler and his movement. In winter 1930, he made it clear that will not hesitate to use military force in the case of Hitler's attempt to seize power in the country. "Reichswehr does not allow Hitler to come to power," - said Hammerstein. In the presidential election of 1932 he supported Paul von Hindenburg, seeing in it the last obstacle to the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship. February 1, 1934 Hammerstein resigned.

During the mobilization of 1939, he was again drafted into the army and was appointed commander of the reinforcement area "A" West Wall. Later, he dropped the phrase, which had hoped to lure Hitler to Cologne and there to catch him. Hitler, who were known anti-Nazi sentiments Hammerstein, appointed him to the minor post of chief of the 8 th Military Region (Silesia). There Hammerstein became friends with Karl Friedrich Goerdeler and other members of the conspiracy against Hitler. He died April 25, 1943 in Berlin.