German General

[Marc Garlasco]

Here is a photo from my Opa, can anyone tell me anything about this officer? Thanks!

From the back of the photo:
Goseliese, Belgium. Generalmajor Ruder, Luft-Verteidigungs-Kommand 6, Stellungs Inspektion 1941

[Rick Research]

Ah, that is the tragic Wolfgang Rüter, born Halberstadt 8 October 1892 and killed in action 24 April 1945 at Strehla on the Elbe--

Joined the army as an Officer Cadet 25 September 1911 and transferred to the Luftwaffe 1 April 1945. He was cashiered 31 May 1944, after being removed from duty as below will detail.

Leutnant 18.2.13 vorp. 22.2.11
Oberleutnant 6.6.16
Hauptmann 1.4.23
Major 1.4.34
Oberstleutnant 1.1.36
Oberst 1.4.38 with final seniority 1.6.38
Generalmajor 1.12.39

He served in Feldart Rgt 56 until 1917, was commander of Heavy cannon-Flak Battery 169 November 1917 to June 1918, and ended the war (having won both Iton Crosses and the Black Wound Badge) as Adjutant of the Flak CO, Armeeoberkommando 17.

Between the wars he was an artillery battery commander in Art Rgt 3 and an artillery instructor at the Reichsheer Infantry School in Dresden, before switching to transportation (Fahr) branch in 1932.

In the Luftwaffe he went back to Flak duties, aside from a VERY brief interlude with the Legion Condor in Spain (27.1. to 31.3.37) which is not explained-- presumably ill or relieved for some reason which did not affect his career.

24.6.39 to 14.1.40 commanded Flakgruppe Frankfurt aM, Darmstadt, and Mainz

15.1 to 30.9.40 Deputy Commander Air Defense Command 3 (Hannover)

February to 30 September 1940 Commander of Air Defense Command 6 (Brussels)

1.10.40 to 4.5.41 Commander of the Reichs Civil Defense School

1.7.41 to 12.7.43 Commander of Flak Brigade XIV (Norway)

12 July 1943 placed on Führerreserve---

convicted 11 January 1945 of, quoting the Biblio Generals' biography,

"frivolous removal of another from military service, of continuous insubordination, and unauthorized hunting (!!!!) and of negligent non-compliance" to three years in prison and loss of all rank:

In other words, he used his position to get some poor schlub a compassionate discharge, talked back to Göring about stupid orders, and was ratted out by somebody on his staff for shooting an animal out of season in Norway!

He was killed in action as a Volksturm-Mann.

[Marc Garlasco]

That is so tragic I don't know what to say!

[Mike H]

Ruter

Yes, imagine going from a General --- to disgrace in a court martial and then on to a regular soldier in the Volksturm and being killed on the Elbe. What a tragic story.

This General's Kleiner Rock uniform is featured in the Brian Davis book and was recently for sale at the Show of Shows in Louisville. A magnificent uniform.

Mike