Surprise about German connection (7)
I believe the answer is:
astound
'surprise' is the definition.
(to astound is to shock or surprise)
'about german connection' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'as to' (I've seen this in another clue).
'german connection' becomes 'und' ('and' in German - a connecting word).
'asto'+'und'='ASTOUND'
(Other definitions for astound that I've seen before include "Stupefy" , "Fill with wonder or astonishment" , "Shock, surprise greatly" , "Stagger" , "Startle" .)