Kurt von Tippelskirch
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Kurt von Tippelskirch | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 October 1891 |
| Died | 10 May 1957 (aged 65) |
| Allegiance | German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Imperial German Army Reichswehr German Army |
| Service years | 1910–1945 |
| Rank | General der Infanterie |
| Commands | 30th Infantry Division XII Army Corps 1st Army 14th Army 21st Army Army Group Vistula |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
| Relations | Curt Gallenkamp (brother-in-law) |
Kurt Oskar Heinrich Ludwig Wilhelm von[1] Tippelskirch (9 October 1891 – 10 May 1957) was a German general during World War II who commanded several armies and Army Group Vistula. He surrendered to the United States Army on 2 May 1945. Tippelskirch wrote several books, such as the History of the Second World War, 1951. He died in 1957.
Kurt von Tippelskirch was born on 9 October 1891 in Charlottenburg in the Kingdom of Prussia as the son of Hans von Tippelskirch (1863–1945), a Prussian Generalmajor, and Helene, née Stuckenschmidt (1865–1946).[2]
After graduation from the Prussian cadet corps, Tippelskirch entered the Prussian Army on 24 June 1909 as a Fähnrich in Königin Elisabeth Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 3, an elite Prussian Guards regiment. He was commissioned a Leutnant on 20 March 1911 with a Patent of 24 June 1909. He went into the field with his regiment in World War I and was wounded in the First Battle of the Marne, falling into French captivity and later internment in Switzerland.[3]
Interwar years
Tippelskirch returned from Switzerland in 1919 and was promoted on 3 September 1919 to Oberleutnant with a Patent of 18 June 1915 and to Hauptmann with a Patent of 20 June 1918. He was accepted into the Reichswehr, serving in the 9. (Preußisches) Infanterie-Regiment in Potsdam. On 16 March 1920, he married Elli, née Gallenkamp. On 1 April 1924, he was transferred to the military intelligence section in the Ministry of the Reichswehr. On 1 October 1926, he was transferred to the 14. Reiter-Regiment while remaining tasked to the Ministry of the Reichswehr. On 1 April 1927 he was transferred to the staff of the 3rd Division in Berlin. He returned to the staff of the Ministry of the Reichswehr on 1 October 1929 and was promoted to Major on 1 February 1930.[3]
On 1 February 1933, Tippelskirch was promoted to Oberstleutnant and on 1 October 1933, he was named a battalion commander in the 5. (Preußisches) Infanterie-Regiment. He then assisted with the formation of Infanterie-Regiment 27, where he was named commander of a half-regiment and later of the regiment. On 1 March 1935, he was promoted to Oberst.[3]
Tippelskirch was named a section chief in the General Staff of the Army on 6 October 1936, placing him in charge of military intelligence for threats from the west (Abteilung Fremde Heere West). He was promoted to Generalmajor on 1 April 1938 and on 10 November 1938, he was named Oberquartiermeister IV in the General Staff of the Army, placing him in overall charge of military intelligence.[3]
