Harry Hoppe

Harry Hoppe
Nickname(s)	Stan Laurel
Born	11 February 1894 Braunschweig
Died	Wetzlar
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1914–45
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	126. Infanterie-Division 278. Infanterie-Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Siege of Leningrad Italian Campaign Operation Diadem Gothic Line Offensive
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Harry Hoppe (11 February 1894 – 23 August 1969) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Harry Hoppe was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was released in 1948.

Born as Arthur Hoppe, he formally changed his first name to “Harry”.

Enlisting as a private in the Braunschweigisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr.92 in August 1914. Wounded twice during the First World War. Joining the Detachment “von Grothe” of Freikorps “von Hülsen.” (Formed near Berlin in December 1918, this volunteer unit was commanded by Generalleutnant Walter von Hülsen). After taking part in putting down the Spartacist uprising in Berlin in January 1919 and quelling further disturbances there in March, von Hülsen’s unit was later incorporated into the Reichswehr as Reichswehr Brigade 3

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class (20 March 1916)
  • 1st Class (15 March 1917)
• Wound Badge (1914)
  • in Black
  • in Silver
• Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords (17 April 1918)
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
• West Wall Medal
• Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (26 September 1939)
  • 1st Class (12 July 1941)
• Eastern Front Medal
• Infantry Assault Badge
• German Cross in Gold on 16 May 1942 as Oberst in Infanterie-Regiment 424
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 12 September 1941 as Oberst and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 424
  • 682nd Oak Leaves on 18 December 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 278. Infanterie-Division
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (6 July 1944)

Harry Hoppe was nicknamed “Stan Laurel” by his comrades because of his facial resemblance to the English-born actor/comedian.

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Lexikon der Wehrmacht
• specialcamp11

Military offices
Preceded by General der Infanterie Paul Laux	Commander of 126. Infanterie-Division 10 October 1942 – 31 April 1943	Succeeded by Generalleutnant Friedrich Hofmann
Preceded by Generalleutnant Friedrich Hofmann	Commander of 126. Infanterie-Division 8 July 1943 – 7 November 1943	Succeeded by Oberst Gotthard Fischer
Preceded by General der Infanterie Hubert Gercke	Commander of 278. Infanterie-Division 1 December 1943 – 28 January 1944	Succeeded by Generalmajor Paul Bornscheuer
Preceded by Generalmajor Paul Bornscheuer	Commander of 278. Infanterie-Division 5 March 1944 – 2 May 1945	Succeeded by none