Karl von Graffen (6 June 1893 – 1 November 1964) was a highly decorated German general during World War II who held divisional and corps level commands. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.
In the First World War Graffen fought in Crimea, Ypres, Ginchy, Arras and Yser earning the second and first class Iron Cross. He served with the 60th Artillery Regiment and the 65th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment.
Graffen was taken prisoner in May 1945 by the US 85th Infantry Division near Belluno, Italy, and was released in March 1948.
His granddaughter, Angela Findlay, has written a book (In my Grandfather's Shadow ISBN 978-0-552-17772-6) about her relationship to his legacy. Findlay has also discussed this on a number of Podcasts and at Book Festivals.
Awards and decorations
Order of the Griffon (Mecklenburg), Knight's Cross on 29 September 1912
Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class
2nd Class on 25 September 1914
1st Class on 25 November 1916
Military Merit Cross (Mecklenburg-Schwerin), 2nd and 1st Class
2nd Class on 8 December 1914
1st Class on 6 October 1916
Military Merit Cross (Austria-Hungary) 3rd Class with War Decoration on 25 July 1917
Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg on 8 September 1917
Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords on 9 January 1935
Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th to 1st Class on 3 October 1936
Order of St. Sava, Commander's Cross on 1 December 1938
Repetition Clasp 1939 to the Iron Cross 1914, 2nd and 1st Class
2nd Class on 17 June 1940
1st Class on 29 June 1941
German Cross in Gold on 24 December 1941
Eastern Front Medal on 13 August 1942
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 August 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of 58. Infanterie-Division