Kurt Meyer

ModernGeneralGermany1910 — 1961

Panzermeyer, youngest German divisional commander.

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Quick Facts

Born

1910

Died

1961

Country

Germany

Era

Modern

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)53

Political (20%)26

Influence (20%)58

Legacy (20%)45

Leadership (15%)35

Strategy (15%)53

Total Score45.5

Kurt Meyer — Complete Timeline

1944 AD

Command of the 12th SS Panzer Division HitlerjugendWar◆ Major

Meyer was appointed commander of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend in August 1944, becoming the youngest German divisional commander at age 34. He led the division during the Battle of the Falaise Pocket.

Normandy CampaignCommandYouth

Impact: regional

1945 AD

War Crimes ConvictionPolitical Action◆ Major

After the war, Meyer was tried by a Canadian military court for war crimes, including the murder of Canadian prisoners of war. He was found guilty and sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment, and released in 1954.

War CrimesTrialImprisonment

Impact: nationaldestructive