Meet Karl Wilhelm Krause, also known as the SS guard who was fired…twice.
Okay, so to be clear this guy wasn’t canned for being outrageously bad at his job or anything of that nature. Due to how intensely these guards were vetted you would be hard-pressed to find one who was negligent. However, Krause’s personality became…let’s say incompatible with Hitler’s.
Karl Krause was born in Michelau, West Prussia in 1911. He joined the German navy in 1931 and continued as a reserve officer, even after becoming a member of the LSSAH and assigned to the Führerbegleitkommando. For the next six years, Krause would be known as Hitler’s shadow.
First incident: In September of 1939 Hitler was doing a front line inspection. At some point, he requested that Krause bring him a bottle of Fachinger mineral water. Hitler was very particular about the water he drank as he feared being poisoned. Unfortunately, Krause forgot to bring his bottled water and instead tried to pass off regular water as Fachinger. When Hitler discovered this deceit he fired his valet.
Second incident: Despite getting fired, Hitler and Krause remained on friendly terms. Krause would request to return to the navy, a wish which was granted. In total, he would serve on three ships and be sunk three times. He was briefly recalled to Hitler’s services again in 1943 only to get released back to the navy once more after discharging his firearm while drinking with other SS buddies.
Krause was never on poor terms with Hitler, but it was clear that he was better served remaining active in the navy.
Krause managed to avoid capture by the USSR and instead fell into American custody from 1945–46. He was released after it was determined he was only a bodyguard.
