Recipients of the Gold German Cross

Georg_von_Sodenstern

Georg von Sodenstern (15 November 1889 – 20 July 1955) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 19th Army. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.
It has been indicated von Sodenstern was part of a group, including Erwin von Witzleben, who proposed a coup against Adolf Hitler in 1937.

Alfons_Hitter

Alfons Hitter (4 June 1892 – 11 March 1968) was a German general during World War II who commanded the 206th Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany.
Hitter surrendered to Soviet forces during Operation Bagration when his division was encircled at Vitebsk. Convicted as a war criminal in the Soviet Union, he was held in prison for eleven years, joining the National Committee for a Free Germany while in captivity. He was released in 1955.

Rudolf_Peschel

Rudolf Peschel (21 April 1894 – 30 June 1944) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Peschel was killed in action on 30 June 1944 during the Vitebsk–Orsha Offensive.

Erich_Buschenhagen

Erich Buschenhagen (December 8, 1895 – September 13, 1994) was a German general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany who commanded the LII Corps during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Buschenhagen surrendered to the Soviet forces in August 1944, after the Jassy–Kishinev Offensive (August 1944) and was held in the Soviet Union as a war criminal until October 1955.

Friedrich_Freiherr_von_Broich

Friedrich Freiherr von Broich (1 January 1896 – 24 September 1974) was a German general during World War II.
Shortly before the beginning of the Second World War, then-Major Broich was placed in command of the 34th Aufklärungsabteilung (Reconnaissance Battalion). In December 1939 Broich took over command of the 21st Cavalry Regiment, which he led during the 1940 campaign in France. After promotion to colonel on 1 September 1940, Broich became commander of the 22nd Cavalry Regiment. During the 1941 Russian campaign Broich commanded the 1st Ritter-Regiment and then on 1 December 1941 took over the 24th Rifle Brigade, which was later converted into a Panzer Grenadier brigade. In November 1942 Broich was appointed to lead the first "Broich" division in the North African theater. In February 1943 Broich was appointed commander of the 10th Panzer Division and promoted to major general.
On 12 May 1943, Broich surrendered to the British Army at Grombalia, Tunisia, along with the remnants of the 10th Panzer Division. He was detained at the Trent Park General Officer's POW Camp for the duration of the war. On 1 June 1943 he was promoted to lieutenant general. On October 7, 1947, Broich was repatriated.

Walther_Wenck

Walther Wenck (German: [ˈvaltɐ ˈvɛŋk]) (18 September 1900 – 1 May 1982) was a German officer and industrialist. He was the youngest General of the branch (General der Truppengattung) in the German Army and a staff officer during World War II. At the end of the war, he commanded the German Twelfth Army that took part in the Battle of Berlin. Wenck left the military after surrendering to the Allies. He was asked to become Inspector General of the Bundeswehr as West Germany was re-arming in 1957, but declined to take the post when conditions he set were not met, such as the Inspector General being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, not just an administrative leader.
Historians consider Wenck a capable commander and a brilliant improviser, although incapable of the impossible task he was given of saving Berlin in 1945.

Erich_Bärenfänger

Erich Bärenfänger (12 January 1915 – 2 May 1945) was a German general during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany. In the final days of the war, Bärenfänger was commander of several defense sectors during the Battle of Berlin; he committed suicide on 2 May 1945.