PAGAN BURIAL FOR GERMAN WAR CHIEF?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 7

PAGAN BURIAL FOR GERMAN WAR CHIEF?

WIDOW'S DESIRE. Wish May be Over-Ruled By Hitler. LUDENSJORFF PASSES. Vnited Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON", December 20. I A message from Munich says the death has occurred of General von Ludendorff, the great German wartime military leader. He had been gravely ill for a few weeks and today suffered a sudden relapse. The general's antagonism to Christian ideas and customs is causing considerable difficulty with the funeral arrangements. According to his own wishes he would not be buried in consecrated ground. Meanwhile, Herr Hitler is arranging a State funeral for December 22 near Feldherrenhalle, which is contrary to LudendorfTs express wish. The "Daily Telegraph" Berlin correspondent says flags throughout Germany are at half-mast for Ludendorff. Newspapers announced the death on their front pages and carry black borders. The obituary notice issued by the official news agency begins: "With deep emotion the (Jernian people stands at tlie bier of Erich Ludendorff. glorious commander of the World War. who stands out from contemporary history like a peak of rock in the gigantic struggle "of the German people against the world of enemies." The "Telegraph" Munich representative says: "Although there has been no official announcement. I understand there will be no public mourning or State funeral. Herr Hitler offered a Sti:te fun?ral, which the widow refused. She has arranged to take the body to their home on Starnbergersee for private burial.

"A grave is being prepared in the garden of her home and the service will l>e conducted in accordance with pagan rites. It is still possible for the widow's decision to be over-ruled."

The ex-Kaiser sent a telegram to the widow stating: "I ain deeply moved and send deepest personal sorrow."

Born near Schwensenz, Poeen, in April, l 1860, Erich von Ludendorff was trained 1 in the cadet corps and entered the Army | in 1882. VlOlll 1890 '.ie served on the General Staff until 1913, when he became j a l cgimental commander. In April of tlie i following year he was promoted major- i general.' The outbreak of the Great War found Ludendorff quartermaster in von Billow 's (2nd) Army. When the commandant of <i brigade fell near him during filiating round Liege he assumed command on hie own responsibility and thus became the genera] who took Liege. On 22, 1914. as a result of the Liege incident, he became Hindenburgs Chief of Staff, accompanying him to East Prussia to repel tihe Russian invasion.

Following the fall of Falkenhayn, Ludendorff became First Quartermaster-General to Hindenburg, who was appointed Chief of Staff. Thus Ludendorff became the organiser of the German campaigns. TTW advent saw the eradication of costly macs attacks and the employment of a more elastic system of fighting. The so-called Hindenburg programme of recruiting, which caused world-wide indignation, was his idea.

Following his retirement in October, 1918. Ludendorff offered his services to the Government that arose from the revolution. This Government anticipated attacks on him, however, and advised him to quit Germany. He visited Sweden, and wrote his reminiscences. Becoming deeply involved with the Kapp conspirators, Ludendorff. when in 'Munich, became one of the leaders of a group that had gathered around Hitler, whose attempt at a coup d'etat led to a fiasco in Xovcrnber. 1023. when he declared the Berlin Government deposed and proclaimed a National Government, with Ludendorff as com-mander-in-chief of the arviy. Later Ludendorff was elected a Fascist member of the Reichstag, but attended no sittings. In 1925 he failed badly in contesting the Presidency with Hindenbung. In 1930 he took steps to obtain a separation from his second wife, whom many of his friends suspected was the force behind his campaign against Freemasons, 1 .Tews and Jesuits, and his propaganda in favour of the cult of Wotan and other German gods. PRIVATE BURIAL. AFTER STATE CEREMONY. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 20. It is officially stated that there will be a State ceremony on December 22 at Feldherrenhalle. at which Herr Hitler will be present. Thus it appears that the State plans have not been extended to the burial at Ludendorff's home, which will be performed simply and in the open air according to the rites of the German Faith Movement.