__NOTOC__ Curt von Jesser (4 November 1890 – 18 August 1950) was an

Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ** Austria-Hungary ** Austria ...

general in the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the German Army (1935–1945), ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmac ...

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany, officially known as the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German Reich, German state between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, transforming it into a Totalit ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. He was a recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. While it was order of precedence, lower in preceden ...

. Jesser was born on November 4, 1890, in

Wadowice Wadowice () is a town in southern Poland, southwest of Kraków with 17,455 inhabitants (2022), situated on the Skawa river, confluence of Vistula, in the eastern part of Silesian Foothills (Pogórze Śląskie). Wadowice is known for being the bir ...

as the son of future Austrian-Hungarian Feldmarschalleutnant Moritz von Jesser. He entered the Austrian Army on August 18, 1909, with the rank of ''Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter'' and was assigned to the 6th Rifle-Regiment (''Schützen Regiment 6''). He remained in Austrian service after World War I and became a

soldier after the

Anschluss The (, or , ), also known as the (, ), was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938. The idea of an (a united Austria and Germany that would form a "German Question, Greater Germany") arose after t ...

of Austria in 1938. In

he was promoted to the rank of

Generalmajor is the Germanic languages, Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central Europe, Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and R ...

. He commanded the 155. Reserve-Panzer-Division from 24 August 1943 to 6 September 1943. Between June and August 1944, he commanded , also known as ''Kampfgruppe Jesser'' or "Jesser Brigade" in operations against Maquis in rural France. He was given command of ''Festungsabschnitt Steiermark'' in 1945. Curt von Jesser died in Vienna on 18 August 1950.

Awards

on 18 January 1942 as ''

Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German language, German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the Army, ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, a ...

'' and commander of Panzer-Regiment 36Fellgiebel 2000, p. 201. *

German Cross The War Order of the German Cross (), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or ''Deutsches Kreuz'', was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repeated acts of bravery or military leade ...

in Gold (29 November 1941) *

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (1871–1918), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the in ...

, 1st Class (1939) * 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class * Austrian Military Merit Cross, 3rd class with War Decoration (World War I award) * Austrian Military Merit Medal in Silver with Swords (World War I award) * Austrian Military Merit Medal in Bronze with Swords (World War I award) * 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class (World War I award) *

Karl Troop Cross The Karl Troop Cross () was instituted on 13 December 1916 by Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary. The cross was awarded for service up to the end of the First World War to soldiers and sailors of all arms of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces, regar ...

(World War I award) * Austria-Hungary Wound Medal (World War I award) * Panzer Badge in Silver * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 1st Class

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jesser, Curt Von 1890 births 1950 deaths People from Wadowice Austro-Hungarian military personnel of World War I Major generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht) Military personnel of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 2nd class Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Austrian prisoners of war People from Austrian Silesia Austrian military personnel of World War II Austro-Hungarian Army officers World War II prisoners of war held by the United Kingdom German Army generals of World War II