Walter Wessel

Walter Wessel
Born	21 April 1892 Lautenthal
Died	Morano, Italy
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1912–43
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	12. Panzer-Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Białystok–Minsk Battle of Smolensk (1941) Battle of Moscow Siege of Leningrad
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Walter Wessel (21 April 1892 – 20 July 1943) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 12th Panzer Division. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Walter Wessel was killed in an auto accident on 20 July 1943 near Morano, Italy. Walter Wessel was also responsible for the Massacre in Ciepielów, at Ciepielów, Poland.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Wound Badge (1914)
  • in Black
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Infantry Assault Badge
• Eastern Front Medal
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 15 August 1940 as Oberst and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 15 (mot.)
  • 76th Oak Leaves on 17 February 1942 as Oberst and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 15 (mot.)

See also

• Massacre in Ciepielów

External links

• Lexikon der Wehrmacht
• World War 2 Awards.com

Military offices
Preceded by Generaloberst Josef Harpe	Commander of 12. Panzer-Division 15 January 1942 – 1 March 1943	Succeeded by Generalleutnant Erpo Freiherr von Bodenhausen