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Seydlitz-Kurzbach, von, Walther

Date of birth:
August 22nd, 1888 (Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany)
Date of death:
April 28th, 1976 (Bremen, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 19th, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 21st, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 16th, 1918
Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 17th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 19th September 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 22nd, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 21st October 1915.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur 12.Infanterie-Division / II.Armee-Korps / 4. Armee / Heeresgruppe B
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Seydlitz-Kurzbach received the Knight’s Cross…

“Generalmajor von Seydlitz-Kurzbach and his Division broke through the extended Maginot Line east of Trelon on the 17.05.1940 following a fierce battle. This success is attributable to the abilities of the divisional commander, who personally reconnoitred the enemy situation and terrain before directing his troops in an exemplary fashion during the main round of combat. On the 26.-27.05.1940 his Division seized crossings over the de la Haute-Deule Canal. Strong enemy counterattacks here were repulsed. The Somme river too was eventually forced on the 05.06.1940. Throughout all this time Generalmajor von Seydlitz-Kurzbach dedicated himself to the combat without hesitation.”

189th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur 12.Infanterie-Division / II.Armee-Korps / 16. Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
December 31st, 1941
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for the outstanding leadership of his division in the northern sector of the Eastern front during the first four months of Operation Barbarossa.

54th Award.

Sources

Photo

Background stories