Konrad Haase
Konrad Ludwig Benno Haase was a German general during World War II. He is primarily known for being in command of the 302nd Infantry Division when it successfully defended against the Dieppe Raid.
Early career
Haase joined the Imperial German Army as an artillery officer cadet in 1908, gaining his commission as a second lieutenant a year later. The First World War brought promotion to captain and an Iron Cross 1st Class, but he was not one of the select few officers who were retained in the Weimar Republic’s new army, restricted to 100,000 men under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Haase became a police officer in 1919, becoming Dresden’s chief of police five years later.Haase was recalled to Army service in Adolf Hitler’s new Wehrmacht in 1935 as a regimental commander. In late 1939, Haase was assigned to command the 164th Infantry Division while it was being formed in Germany. He was given command of the short-lived 365th Division in late 1940 for Polish occupation duties, by which time he had been promoted to brigadier general. He was consequently recommended for another divisional command. On 12 November 1940, he transferred to 302nd Infantry Division to serve as its commanding officer during its creation in north eastern Germany. He received his final promotion to major general on New Year’s Day 1942, and was simultaneously awarded the War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords.