Karl von Le Suire

Karl Hans Maximilian von Le Suire
Born 8 November 1898
Unterwössen
Died 18 June 1954(1954-06-18) (aged 55)
P.O.W. Camp at Stalingrad
Allegiance German Empire (to 1918)
Weimar Republic (to 1933)
Nazi Germany
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1916–1945
Rank General der Gebirgstruppe
Commands held 46. Infanterie-Division
117. Jäger Division
XXIV. Panzerkorps
XXXXIX. Gebirgs-Armeekorps
Battles/wars

World War I
World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Karl Hans Maximilian von Le Suire (8 November 1898 – 18 June 1954) was a highly decorated General der Gebirgstruppe in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the XXXXIX. Gebirgs-Armeekorps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Contents

Role in Massacre of Kalavryta

In November 1943, the German 117th Jäger Division began a mission named Unternehmen Kalavryta (Operation Kalavryta), intending to encircle Greek guerrilla fighters in the mountainous area surrounding Kalavryta. During the operations, some German soldiers were killed and 77 of them, who were taken prisoners, were executed by the Greek guerrillas. On 10 December 1943 von Le Suire signed the order for the German division to "level the locations Mazeika and Kalavryta" (die Orte Mazeika und Kalawrita dem Erdboden gleich zu machen).

In total, more than 1200 civilians were killed during the reprisal operations. About 1,000 houses were looted and burned and more than 2,000 sheep and other large domestic animals were seized by the Germans. The event is known as the Massacre of Kalavryta.

Captivity and death

Karl von Le Suire was captured by Soviet troops in May 1945 and died in Soviet captivity on 18 June 1954 in a prisoner of war camp at Stalingrad.

Awards and decorations

See also

References

Citations
  1. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 339.
Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
General der Infanterie Arthur Hauffe		 Commander of 46. Infanterie-Division
13 February 1943 – 27 February 1943		 Succeeded by
General der Infanterie Arthur Hauffe
Preceded by
Previously 717. Infanterie-Division		 Commander of 117. Jäger Division
1 May 1943 – 10 July 1944		 Succeeded by
Generalleutnant August Wittmann
Preceded by
General der Artillerie Walter Hartmann		 Commander of XXXXIX. Gebirgskorps
5 August 1944 – 8 May 1945		 Succeeded by
None