Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, the German general in charge of the defense of Brest, was a really interesting character-not without his faults (he appears to have been a pretty hard-core racist, even by the standards of his time), but also with some admirable qualities (he rose through the ranks starting as essentially a cabin boy in the WWI German navy, and apparently was known for his loyalty to those down the ranks from him).
He was almost assassinated by the Resistance around the time of Normandy (they got his driver); had that action been successful, there’s no telling if Brest would have held out for a month-and-a-half, and had it fallen early, there’s a good chance the logistical advantage resulting would’ve significantly shortened the war in Europe.
Interesting post. Thanks.