Franz Halder
Franz Halder Franz Halder Born 30 June 1884 Würzburg, Germany Died 2 April 1972 (aged 87) Aschau im Chiemgau, Bavaria Allegiance  Kingdom of Bavaria  German Empire  Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany Years of service 1902–45 Rank Generaloberst Battles/wars World War I World War II Awards Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes Signature Franz Halder (30 June 1884 – 2 April 1972) was a German general and the chief of the OKH General Staff from 1938 until September 1942, when he was dismissed after frequent disagreements with Adolf Hitler. Until December 1941 Halder's military position corresponded to the old Chief of the General Staff position, which during World War One was the highest military office in the German Imperial Army. Halder's diary during his time as chief of OKH General Staff has been a very good source for authors that have written about such subjects as Adolf Hitler, the Second World War and the NSDAP (The Nazi party). In William Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Halder's diary is cited hundreds of times.