Rudolf Lüters (May 10, 1883 – December 24, 1945) was a German general who served in the Wehrmacht, during World War II.

Rudolf Lüters
Born(1883-05-10)10 May 1883
Darmstadt, German Empire
Died24 December 1945(1945-12-24) (aged 62)
Krasnogorsk, Soviet Union
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch German Army
RankGeneral der Infanterie
Commands held223rd infantry division
XV Mountain Corps
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsPour le Merite
German Cross

Biography edit

He joined the Imperial German Army on November 2, 1902 as Fahnenjunker and participated in World War I where he was wounded twice, in September 1914 and in October 1915.

During World War II, he was appointed commander of the 223rd infantry division on May 6, 1941, participating with this unit in the invasion of the Soviet Union until October 19.

On November 1, 1942, he was appointed commander of German troops in the puppet Independent State of Croatia. He was promoted to General der Infanterie on February 1, 1943. He received the German Cross in Gold on April 30, 1943 and became the first commander of the newly created XV Mountain Corps on August 25. He participated in numerous anti-partisan operations in Yugoslavia, notably in the Case White and Case Black operations led by Alexander Löhr.

On July 31, 1944, Lüters left the German Army and retired. Captured by the Soviets at the end of the war, he died in detention in Russia on Christmas Eve 1945.

Sources edit

  • Dermot Bradley: Die Generale des Heeres 1921–1945 Band 7 Knabe-Luz, Biblio Verlag, Bissendorf 2004, ISBN 3-7648-2902-8, S. 651–652.
Military offices
Preceded by
Generalleutnant Paul-Willi Körner
Commander of 223rd infantry division
6 May 1941 – 19 October 1942
Succeeded by
Generalleutnant Christian Usinger
Preceded by
None
Commander of XV Mountain Corps
25 August 1943 – 10 October 1943
Succeeded by
General der Infanterie Ernst von Leyser