| Siegfried Knappe | |
|---|---|
| "Duck!" | |
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Name: |
Siegfried Knappe |
|
Born: |
15 January 1917 |
|
Died |
1 December 2008 (age 91) |
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Known for |
Being Weidling's Adjutant |
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Portrayed by |
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Siegfried Knappe (15 January 1917 – 1 December 2008), was a German Army officer and an adjutant to General Weidling.
Background[]
Real Siegfried Knappe
Knappe was an artillery lieutenant that got involved in the invasion of France. He had received several awards and decorations for his actions on the front. He later fought in the Eastern front, Italian Campaign, and Operation Barbarossam. He eventually rose the rank of major and became Weidling's adjuant.
After the Germans surrendered, Knappe subsequently spent 5 years as a Soviet prisoner of war. Upon his release, he moved to the United States with all his family and wrote his memoir, Soldat, which was used in the makings of Downfall.
He died in 1 December, 2008.
In Downfall Universe[]
He was seen at Weidling's command post, where he saved the general's life from a shell. He is seen accompanying Weidling in the Bunker, but is stopped at the Guard Port 2. He is last seen at the end of the film, when Weidling was recording the surrender speech.
He appeared in only a few parodies, where he has a minor role, of saving Weidling.
Trivia[]
- Having died in 2008, Knappe is one of the few witnesses to have still been alive after Downfall's release, only being outlived by Rochus Misch.
- He is credited as "Adjutant to General Weidling" in the film.