Kurt von Tippelskirch

Kurt Oskar Heinrich Ludwig Wilhelm von 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.

Early life and World War I 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).

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.

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. On 30 July he received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves for his achievements in the fighting at Mogilev.

From 29 October to 22 November 1944, he replaced the ailing Otto von Knobelsdorff as the commander of the 1st Army in Lorraine.

Awards and decorations German Kingdom of Prussia: Iron Cross 2nd Class (18 November 1914) Iron Cross 1st Class (20 December 1919) 539th Oak Leaves on 30 July 1944 as General der Infanterie and deputy commander-in-chief of the 4. Armee Kingdom of Yugoslavia: Order of the Crown of Yugoslavia, Commander (12 January 1938)