Need informations about a Generalleutnant

[Gerd W.]

Hello!

I´m surching for informations about a Generalleutnant, he served in the army, think infantry. His name was Thofern! He was the father of the knight cross holder Werner Thofern (knight cross 8/25/41).
Would be kind, when someone can help me. I haven´t the books/ranklists need for such an investigation.

Thanks in advance

Gerd
(Niedersachsen)

[Rick Research]

Wilhelm Thofern

born 11 December 1883 Roringen bei Göttingen, living 1957 Geismar bei Göttingen.

Army 15.10.03-31.3.45. Enlisted in Prussian Guards for 12 years as an enlisted man.

AMAZINGLY, commissioned as a REGULAR officer in 5. Garde Regiment zu Fuß, surrounded by "vons"...

Leutnant 27.3.16 with seniority later backdated to ?
Oberleutnant after WW1, backdated to ?
Hauptmann seniority backdated circa 1922/23 to 18.10.18 #47 (he was a LEUTNANT when the war ended) Awards: EK1,2, Lippe-Detmold KVK.
Major circa 1931
Oberstleutnant 1.1.34
Oberst 1.10.35
Generalmajor 1.8.39
Generalleutnant 1.9.42

He served in the Reichsheer in Infantry Regiment 9, Potsdam-- considered the elite "Guards" unit of the Reichsheer. (This is quite bizarre!)

He served as Commandant of Truppen-Übungsplatz Großborn 1 June 1935 to 16 November 1944.

It is incredible that an "up from the ranks" former NCO had a GUARDS career like this, from DURING World War One, through the Weimar period. many former NCOs were given commissions, but most were so old they retired in the 1920s as Hauptleute. For some reason Thofern-- who was NOT highly decorated, not inly received amazing retroactive seniority, but he went right on into the ranks of Generals just like a career officer!

[Gerd W.]

Many thanks for your great work!

Now I have the dates from his military career I surched for.

Think this guy had good connections at that time.
His wife´s maiden name was GÖRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, there is a relationship with Hermann Göring.
Perhaps this is one possibility to explain his smooth military life.

The General died in Göttingen in 1972.

Kind regards from Germany

Gerd