Josef Harpe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 21 September 1887 Buer, German Empire |
| Died | 14 March 1968 (aged 80) Nuremberg, Bavaria, West Germany |
| Allegiance |  German Empire  Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany |
| Service | Army (Wehrmacht) |
| Years of service | 1909–45 |
| Rank |  Generaloberst |
| Commands | 12th Panzer Division XXXXI Panzer Corps 9th Army Army Group North Ukraine Army Group A 4th Panzer Army 5th Panzer Army |
| Battles / wars | World War I
Vistula–Oder Offensive |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Josef Harpe (21 September 1887 – 14 March 1968) was a German general during World War II who commanded the 9th Army. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany.
Harpe served on the Eastern Front, where he commanded XXXXI Panzer Corps and the 9th Army. From September 1944 to January 1945 Army Group A, when he was relieved of his command due to the inability of German forces to stop the Soviet Vistula–Oder Offensive. He ended the war commanding the 5th Panzer Army on Western Front.
Harpe was also responsible for establishing the Ozarichi death camps, which is considered by historians to be one of the worst atrocities committed by the Wehrmacht.