Background
Strauss was born in Schermcke, Saxony-Anhalt.
Strauss was born in Schermcke, Saxony-Anhalt.
This award was given to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 15 March 1898, Strauss joined the Imperial German Army. After serving various roles throughout World War I, Strauss was retained in the Reichswehr.
On 1 December 1934 he was promoted to Generalmajor.
On 30 May 1940, he was appointed Oberbefehlshaber (supreme commander) of the 9th Army in France. Strauss then moved East for Operation Barbarossa with Army Group Centre.
In January 1942 he was replaced in command of the 9th Army by Walter Model following the initial breakthrough of the Soviet forces during commencement of the Rzhev Battles. Foreign health reasons, he stepped down from command on 16 January 1943.
After his recovery, he was appointed as Commandant of the Fortified Eastern area.
After the war he was held in British captivity until being released in May 1949. He died on 20 March 1973 in Lübeck. Bibliography.