17 Facts About Walter Scherff

Walter Scherff 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 Fuhrer's Commissioner for the Writing of Military History.

Walter Scherff was born on 1 November 1898 in Cannstatt, Wurttemberg as the son of construction council.

Walter Scherff participated in the Battle of the Somme and rose to the capacity of Platoon leader.

Walter Scherff was commissioned Leutnant in February 1917 and took part in the combats in Lorraine, Aisne and Verdun.

Walter Scherff was later wounded in action and following his recovery, he served as Battalion's Adjutant in his regiment.

Walter Scherff served with 26th Rifle Regiment as company commander, before he was transferred to the 13th Infantry Regiment in Ludwigsburg in early 1920.

Walter Scherff was appointed Adjutant of 3rd Battalion of his regiment in Ulm in 1923 and while in this capacity, he was promoted to Oberleutnant in April 1925.

In early 1927, Walter Scherff assumed duty as commander of 12th Company in his regiment and remained in that capacity until October that year, when he was transferred to the regimental staff under Colonel Kurt von Greiff.

Walter Scherff later led 8th Company of his regiment until October 1929, when he was assigned to the staff of 5th Division under Generalleutnant Hans Freiherr Seutter von Lotzen in Stuttgart.

Walter Scherff served for one year in this capacity, when he was transferred to the Reichswehrministerium in Berlin.

Walter Scherff was transferred to the staff of 21st Infantry Division in Elbing, East Prussia in April 1937 and served as 1st General Staff officer under Generalleutnant Albert Wodrig.

Walter Scherff was ordered back to Berlin in October 1938 and assigned to the Oberkommando des Heeres for service with the 7th Department of the Oberquartiermeister.

Walter Scherff was promoted to Oberstleutnant in April 1939.

Walter Scherff was transferred to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht in May 1942 and appointed by Adolf Hitler to compile the history of the war, as the Fuhrer's Commissioner for the Writing of Military History.

One month later, Walter 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.

Walter Scherff was burned in the face and both hands and Adolf Hitler later visited him in the hospital.

Walter Scherff was responsible for the destruction of parts of the complete stenographic record of Hitler's military conferences despite not having the authority to do so.