# Kurt Meyer

> German general (1910-1961)

**Wikidata**: [Q57220](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57220)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Meyer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kurt-meyer

## Summary
Kurt Meyer was a German general who served in the Nazi military during World War II. He commanded the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend and was known for his leadership in major battles including the Battle of France and the Normandy invasion.

## Biography
- Born: 1910
- Nationality: German
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Military leadership in Nazi Germany's armed forces
- Employer(s): Sturmabteilung (SA), Schutzstaffel (SS)
- Field(s): Military command

## Contributions
Kurt Meyer served as a military officer in Nazi Germany's armed forces, rising through the ranks of the Sturmabteilung and Schutzstaffel. He commanded the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend during World War II, participating in major military operations including the Battle of France in 1940 and Operation Overlord in 1944. His military career spanned from the 1930s until the end of World War II in 1945.

## FAQs
What military organizations did Kurt Meyer serve in?
Kurt Meyer served in both the Sturmabteilung (SA) and the Schutzstaffel (SS), which were Nazi paramilitary organizations.

What was Kurt Meyer's highest military rank?
Kurt Meyer achieved the rank of general in the German armed forces during World War II.

What major battles did Kurt Meyer participate in?
Kurt Meyer participated in the Battle of France in 1940 and Operation Overlord (the Allied invasion of Normandy) in 1944.

## Why They Matter
Kurt Meyer represents a significant figure in the military history of Nazi Germany during World War II. As a high-ranking officer who commanded the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, he played a role in major military campaigns that shaped the course of the war in Western Europe. His career exemplifies the military leadership structure of the Nazi regime and the operational capabilities of the Waffen-SS divisions during the conflict.

## Notable For
- Commanded the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend
- Participated in the Battle of France (1940)
- Participated in Operation Overlord (1944)
- Served in both SA and SS paramilitary organizations
- Achieved the rank of general in Nazi Germany's armed forces

## Body
### Early Military Career
Kurt Meyer began his military career in the 1930s, initially serving in the Sturmabteilung (SA), the original paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party. He later transferred to the Schutzstaffel (SS), the elite paramilitary organization that became the primary instrument of Nazi power and conducted the Holocaust.

### World War II Service
During World War II, Meyer rose through the ranks to become a general in the German armed forces. His most notable command was of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, a Waffen-SS armored division composed largely of Hitler Youth members who had been drafted into military service.

### Major Military Operations
Meyer participated in several significant military campaigns during World War II. In 1940, he took part in the Battle of France, the Nazi German invasion that resulted in the rapid defeat of French forces and the occupation of France. Later, during Operation Overlord in 1944, he was involved in the German defense against the Allied liberation of German-occupied France.

### Military Awards and Recognition
Throughout his military career, Meyer received several German military decorations, including the Iron Cross, the German Cross, the Eastern Medal, and the Anschluss Medal. These awards recognized his service and achievements within the Nazi military hierarchy.

### Post-War Period
Meyer's military career ended with the conclusion of World War II in 1945. He lived until 1961, having spent his post-war years after the defeat of Nazi Germany.

## References

1. Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Dezember 1936
2. BnF authorities
3. Munzinger Personen
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Virtual International Authority File