Walter Scherff

Karl Walter Scherff (1 November 1898 – 24 May 1945) was a German army officer and military historian with the rank of Generalmajor, who was appointed by Adolf Hitler to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht in May 1942 to compile the history of the war, as the Führer's Commissioner for the Writing of Military History.

Early career

Walter Scherff was born on 1 November 1898 in Cannstatt, Württemberg as the son of construction council. At the age of 17 he passed his Kriegsabitur (war time diploma, a school leaving certificate under accelerated conditions) and was assigned as Fahnenjunker (Cadet Officer) to the replacement battalion of 127th Infantry Regiment (9. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 127) in Ulm.

Scherff was transferred to the Western Front few weeks later and was promoted to Fähnrich (Officer candidate) in September 1916. He participated in the Battle of the Somme and rose to the capacity of Platoon leader. Scherff was commissioned Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) in February 1917 and took part in the combats in Lorraine, Aisne and Verdun. Scherff was later wounded in action and following his recovery, he served as Battalion's Adjutant in his regiment. For his service during the War, he was decorated with both classes of the Prussian Iron Cross and also received Württemberg Military Merit Medal for bravery.

One month later, Scherff succeeded General Rabenau as Chief of Army Archiv and Rabenau, who was known as a harsh critic of Nazism, was relieved of duties as politically unreliable. Rabenau was later involved in the 20 July Plot and executed in 1945.

As a new Chief for military history, Scherff was tasked with the unified presentation of fight for Greater German Reich and was responsible for determinating, which military literature is suitable to be published and used. For his new assignment, Scherff was promoted to Generalmajor in September 1943 and later received both classes of War Merit Cross with swords for his merits.

A great admirer of Hitler, he committed suicide by means of a cyanide capsule while in American captivity. Scherff was married to Ella Haas.

Awards and decorations Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class on 1 June 1917 1st Class on 6 October 1918 Military Merit Medal (Württemberg) for Bravery in Gold (WMVM1/WgM) on 24 April 1918 Wound Badge (1918) in Black on 21 December 1918 Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords on 6 November 1934 Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th to 2nd Class on 2 October 1936 War Merit Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class with Swords 2nd Class on 30 January 1941 1st Class on 20 April 1942 Wound Badge of 20 July 1944