Deaths on April 2

Franz Halder, German general (b. 1884)

Franz Halder (June 30, 1884 – April 2, 1972) was a highly influential, yet deeply controversial, figure in German military history. As a prominent German general, he served as the chief of staff of the Army High Command (OKH) in Nazi Germany from 1938 until his dismissal in September 1942, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Wehrmacht's campaigns during World War II, particularly on the devastating Eastern Front.

Early Career and Allegiance to Hitler

Halder embarked on his military career in 1914, ascending through the ranks over the years. By 1937, he had met Adolf Hitler and swiftly became a loyal proponent of the Nazi leader's vision. This allegiance propelled him into the inner circles of military planning, where he played a crucial part in the strategic preparations for the 1939 German invasion of Poland. These plans, alarmingly, implicitly authorized the SS to conduct "security tasks" on behalf of the army, which included the imprisonment or even execution of Polish citizens, setting a grim precedent for the atrocities that would follow.

Architect of Barbarossa and the Radicalization of Warfare

It was in July 1940 that Halder began to focus on the audacious and ultimately catastrophic plan for the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa. This massive offensive, launched on June 22, 1941, would become the largest land invasion in history and a theater of unparalleled brutality. As chief of staff, Halder directed the meticulous planning and the subsequent implementation of Operation Barbarossa, making him instrumental in the radicalization of warfare on the Eastern Front. He personally oversaw his staff's drafting of two infamous directives: the Commissar Order (issued June 6, 1941) and the Barbarossa Decree (signed May 13, 1941). These orders effectively granted German soldiers impunity, allowing them to execute Soviet citizens for virtually any reason without fear of later prosecution. This chilling directive directly led to a horrifying number of war crimes and atrocities throughout the campaign, cementing Halder's legacy as a key figure in these unspeakable acts.

Conflict, Dismissal, and Imprisonment

The summer of 1941 saw Halder embroiled in a protracted and increasingly acrimonious dispute with Hitler over strategic decisions on the Eastern Front. Their differing views on military tactics ultimately led to Halder's removal from command by Hitler in September 1942. However, his troubles were far from over. Following the failed July 20, 1944, plot to assassinate Hitler, Halder was arrested. Investigations revealed his involvement in an earlier, separate plot against the Führer, leading to his subsequent imprisonment. During his tenure as chief of the OKH General Staff, Halder meticulously kept extensive personal notes, which were later compiled and published as the revealing "The Halder Diaries," offering invaluable, albeit controversial, insights into the inner workings of the Nazi military leadership.

Crafting the Myth of the "Clean Wehrmacht"

Perhaps one of Halder's most insidious post-war endeavors was his decisive role in developing and propagating the myth of the "clean Wehrmacht." After World War II, despite his past, Halder served as a lead consultant for the US Army Historical Division. In this capacity, he supervised the writing of over 2,500 historical documents by some 700 former German officers. Crucially, he instructed these officers to remove any material that could be detrimental to the image of the German armed forces. Halder skillfully leveraged his influence to foster a fundamentally false history of the German-Soviet conflict, portraying the German army as having fought a "noble war" and vehemently denying its extensive war crimes. The US Army, against the backdrop of the burgeoning Cold War, largely overlooked Halder's blatant apologia. They prioritized the military insights his group provided regarding the Soviet Union, deeming them vital for their own strategic interests. Halder ultimately succeeded in his objective of exonerating the German Army, initially with the US military, then among widening circles of politicians, and eventually, distressingly, within American popular culture.

Controversial Honors

In a stark and deeply troubling contrast to the reality of his military career and the documented atrocities on the Eastern Front, Halder was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1961 by the United States. This made him the only German ever to be decorated by both Adolf Hitler and an American president, a testament to the complex and often morally ambiguous geopolitical considerations of the post-war era.

Frequently Asked Questions About Franz Halder

Who was Franz Halder?

Franz Halder was a high-ranking German general who served as the chief of staff of the Army High Command (OKH) in Nazi Germany from 1938 to 1942. He was a key planner for major campaigns, including the invasion of the Soviet Union.

What was his main role in World War II?

Halder was primarily responsible for directing the planning and implementation of Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. He was also instrumental in drafting decrees that led to widespread war crimes on the Eastern Front.

What were the "Commissar Order" and "Barbarossa Decree"?

These were directives drafted by Halder's staff that authorized German soldiers to execute Soviet citizens, including political commissars, for any reason without fear of prosecution, directly contributing to numerous war crimes and atrocities.

What was the "myth of the clean Wehrmacht"?

This was a false narrative, largely propagated by Halder after World War II, that sought to exonerate the German army from its involvement in war crimes and atrocities, portraying it as a professional force that fought a "noble war" separate from Nazi ideology.

Why did the US Army work with him after the war?

The US Army employed Halder as a consultant for their Historical Division after WWII. They valued his military insights and knowledge about the Soviet Union, which they deemed crucial for intelligence purposes during the early Cold War period, despite his problematic past.

Did he ever face consequences for his actions?

Halder was dismissed from his command in 1942 and imprisoned in 1944 after being linked to an earlier plot against Hitler. However, after the war, he was never prosecuted for his role in war crimes and was even awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award by the U.S. in 1961, sparking considerable controversy.