National Committee for a Free Germany
Drebber surrendered the division on 25 January 1943 during the Battle of Stalingrad. He then sent a letter to Friedrich Paulus stating "he and his soldiers were well received by the Red army." Drebber also asked Paulus to "give up the useless resistance and to surrender with the whole army." He joined the National Committee for a Free Germany while in captivity. He was released in 1949.