Kurt Freiherr von Liebenstein

Kurt Freiherr von Liebenstein (28 February 1899 – 3 August 1975) was a German general during World War II.

Kurt Freiherr von Liebenstein
Liebenstein (front row, 2nd from right) at Trent Park
Born	28 February 1899
Died	3 August 1975 (aged 76)
Allegiance	German Empire  Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany  West Germany
Years of service	1916–43 1955–60
Rank	Generalmajor
Commands held	164th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Tunisia Campaign
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Great Cross of Merit

On 10 May 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Three days later, while commanding the 164th Infantry Division, he surrendered to the British forces in Tunisia.[1] He was sent to Trent Park, a camp for high-ranking commanders north of London. In 1955, he joined the Bundeswehr. In 1960, he retired as Generalmajor.

Liebenstein (right) with Lieutenant General Bernard Freyberg (left), commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division, and Brigadier Graham after the surrender of Axis forces in Tunisia

Awards and decorations

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 10 May 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of 164. Leichte Afrika Division

Notes

1. Samuel W. Mitcham, Rommel's Desert Commanders: The Men Who Served the Desert Fox, North Africa, 1941-1942 (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007) p185

References

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.