Walter Kuntze

Walter Kuntze (23 February 1883 – 1 April 1960) was a highly decorated General der Pioniere (US equiv. Lieutenant General of Engineers) in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 12. Armee. 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. Walter Kuntze was captured by Allied troops in 1945 and was tried at the Hostages Trial in 1947. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, but was released in 1953 due to ill health. He died on 1 April 1960.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Wound Badge (1914)
 * in Black
 * Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg
 * Gallipoli Star (Ottoman Empire) ("Eiserner Halbmond"; Ottoman Empire)
 * Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords
 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * War Merit Cross with Swords
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Silver (2 December 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 October 1941 as General der Pioniere and commander of XXXXII. Armeekorps