Kurt Student

Kurt Arthur Benno Student (12th May 1890 - 1st July 1978) was a German general during World War II.

Student was a German flying ace during World War I, and the commander of a paratrooper unit known as the Fallschirmjäger, which continued in World War II due to the illegal reformation of the German air force by Hermann Göring. The Fallschirmjäger, under Student's command, participated in the invasions of Norway and Denmark.

During the invasion of The Netherlands, Student took part in the Battle of the Hague. During the Battle of Rotterdam, Student was shot and wounded. After the Germans won the battle, Student attempted to have enemy prisoners of war killed in revenge, but was stopped by the intervention of Dietrich von Choltitz.

During the invasion of Crete, Student faced unexpected mass resistance from the civilians, and responded by perpetrating several War crimes against the populace, such as the Kondomari Massacre, the Alikianos Executions and the Razing of Kandanos, as well as the abuse and murder of prisoners of war. In April 1945, Student was captured by Allied forces. He was convicted of three counts of murdering prisoners of war in 1947, and sentenced to five year's imprisonment. However, he was released on compassionate leave the following year, and remained a free man until his death in 1978.