Kurt Mälzer
Kurt Mälzer (2 August 1894 – 24 March 1952) was a German general of the Luftwaffe and a war criminal during World War II. In 1943, Mälzer was appointed the military commander of the city of Rome, subordinated to General Eberhard von Mackensen under the overall command of Field Marshal Albert Kesselring. Under his authority, Mälzer commanded not only the garrison Wehrmacht troops in Rome itself, but also indirectly the SS security forces in the city (although these troops were nominally under the authority of the SS and Police Leader of the region, Wilhelm Harster).
Kurt Mälzer | |
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Mälzer inspecting Italian troops of the X MAS in Piazza Bainsizza, Rome, around the time this unit was deployed to counter the Allied beachhead at Anzio (February–March 1944) | |
| Born | 2 August 1894 |
| Died | 24 March 1952 (aged 57) Werl Prison, Werl, West Germany |
| Known for | Ardeatine massacre |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | U.S. Military War crimes British Military War crimes |
| Criminal penalty | U.S. Military 10 years imprisonment; commuted to 3 years imprisonment British Military Death; commuted to life imprisonment |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | German Empire Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1914–1945 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
Mälzer was one of the German commanders in Rome directly responsible for the Ardeatine massacre in March 1944. Mälzer ordered the massacre which was then planned and carried out by the SS troops. After the war, Mälzer was put on trial by the Allies and sentenced to death, later commuted to a prison term. He died in prison in 1952 by natural causes.