Friedrich Stahl (officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert Gottfried Friedrich Stahl
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Friedrich Stahl at Nuremberg trials
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| Born | 14 June 1889 Darmstadt |
| Died | 19 December 1979 (aged 90) |
| Allegiance |  Prussia Nazi Germany |
| Service/ |
Prussian Army German Army |
| Years of service | 1909 - 1945 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Commands held | 714th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Albert Gottfried Friedrich Stahl (born June 14, 1889 – died December 19, 1979) was a German military officer. He served in the German Army during both World War I and World War II. He reached the high rank of Generalleutnant, which is like a major general. He was also in charge of the 714th Infantry Division for a time.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
Friedrich Stahl was born in Darmstadt, Germany, on June 14, 1889. When he was 20 years old, in 1909, he joined the Prussian Army. This was the army of the Kingdom of Prussia, a powerful state in Germany at the time.
Serving in World War I
Stahl fought for Germany during World War I. This was a very big war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. For his bravery in battle, he received the Iron Cross of 2nd class on September 14, 1914. The Iron Cross was a famous military award in Germany.
Military Career in World War II
After World War I, Stahl continued his military career. He held important positions as Germany prepared for and entered World War II.
Role in Early Campaigns
During the Invasion of Poland by Germany, Stahl was a commander of a regiment. A regiment is a large group of soldiers. Later, he joined the staff of the 16th Army during the Battle of France. This battle was a major part of the war in 1940.
Commander in the Balkans
In June 1942, Friedrich Stahl was sent to the Balkans region. He became the commander of the 714th Infantry Division. His division was tasked with military operations against local resistance groups, known as Yugoslav Partisans.
The Kozara Offensive
One of the major operations Stahl led was called the Kozara Offensive. This was a military action aimed at stopping the Partisan forces. His division's actions during this offensive significantly impacted the Partisan groups in the area.
Post-War Life
In 1945, as World War II ended, Friedrich Stahl became a prisoner of war. He was captured by the United States Army.
Witness at Nuremberg
After the war, Stahl was called as a witness at the Nuremberg trials. These trials were held to investigate important events and actions from the war. Stahl provided information during these proceedings. He passed away on December 19, 1979, at the age of 90.
