Hans Krebs (Wehrmacht general)

Hans Krebs
Krebs in 1944
Chief of the General Staff of the German Army High Command
In office
1 April 1945  2 May 1945
LeaderAdolf Hitler
Preceded byHeinz Guderian
Succeeded byWilhelm Keitel (acting)
Personal details
Born
Hans Otto Wilhelm Eugen Krebs

4 March 1898
Helmstedt, Duchy of Brunswick, German Empire
Died2 May 1945 (aged 47)
Berlin, Nazi Germany
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Military service
Allegiance
Branch/serviceImperial German Army
Reichswehr
German Army
Years of service1914–1945
RankGeneral der Infanterie
CommandsChief of General Staff of the OKH
Battles/wars
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Hans Otto Wilhelm Eugen Krebs (4 March 1898 – 2 May 1945) was a German Army general of infantry who served during World War II. A career soldier, he served in the Reichswehr and the Wehrmacht. He served as the last Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH) during the final phase of the war in Europe (1 April to 1 May 1945). Krebs tried to open surrender negotiations with the Red Army; he committed suicide in the Führerbunker during the early hours of 2 May 1945, two days after Adolf Hitler killed himself.