Walther von Seydlitz-Kurzbach
Walther von Seydlitz-Kurzbach | |
|---|---|
Seydlitz-Kurzbach in 1942 | |
| Vice President of the National Committee for a Free Germany | |
| In office 14 September 1943 – 2 November 1945 | |
| President of the League of German Officers | |
| In office 14 September 1943 – 2 November 1945 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 August 1888 Eppendorf, Hamburg, German Empire |
| Died | 28 April 1976 (aged 87) Bremen, West Germany |
| Awards | Iron Cross House Order of Hohenzollern Hanseatic Cross Wound Badge Wehrmacht Long Service Award Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany NKFD |
| Branch/service | German Army |
| Years of service | 1908–1943 |
| Rank | General der Artillerie |
| Commands | 12th Infantry Division LI Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
Walther Kurt von Seydlitz-Kurzbach (German: [ˈvaltɐ fɔn ˈzaɪdlɪts ˈkʊʁtsbax]; 22 August 1888 – 28 April 1976) was a German general during World War II who commanded the LI Army Corps during the Battle of Stalingrad. At the end of the battle, he gave his officers freedom of action and was relieved of command. He assisted the Soviet Union as a prisoner-of-war as one of the leaders of the National Committee for a Free Germany formed mostly of the German prisoners of war in the USSR. After the war, he was convicted by the Soviets of war crimes. In 1996, he was posthumously pardoned by Russia.