Walter Wessel Military person

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.

Personal facts

Birth date	April 21, 1892
Birth place	Germany , Lautenthal
Date of death	July 20, 1943
Place of death	Italy , Morano Calabro

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Military person

allegiance	Nazi Germany German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933)
award	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
military operations	Operation Barbarossa Invasion of Poland Siege of Leningrad Battle of Białystok–Minsk World War II Battle of France World War I Battle of Moscow Battle of Smolensk (1941)
military branch	German Army (1935–45)
military command	12. Panzer-Division
service start	1912
service end	1943