Maizière was born in Stade on 24 February 1912 to Walter de Maizière, who was a jurist by profession, and Elsbeth (née Dückers). His family was of Huguenot origin, having fled from France in the 1700s. He grew up in Hanover and received his high school certificate in 1930 before joining the Reichswehr in Stettin. From 1931 to 1933 he was at an infantry school in Dresden was promoted several times in the next few years, eventually becoming a captain in 1939.
Second World War and later military career
Maizière took part in the Invasion of Poland and Eastern Front, as an aide to General Adolf Heusinger. In this time he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Upon the surrender of Germany, he went into British captivity and lived as a civilian from his release to 1955, when he joined the German Army of the new Bundeswehr and worked in the Federal Ministry of Defence (Colonel).
1 April 1962 he became commander of the military academy of the German Armed forces (major general). 1 October 1964 Inspector of the Army (lieutenant general) and 25 August 1966 the fourth Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (General officer), succeeding Heusinger, holding the position from 1966 to 1972. In 1967 Maizière formally congratulated Field Marshal Erich von Manstein at his 80th birthday.[2] He retired 31 March 1972 succeeded by Armin Zimmermann.
During his retirement he wrote the books: Führen im Frieden - 20 Jahre Dienst für Bundeswehr und Staat ("Leading in Freedom: 20 Years Served for Federal Defence and State")(1974) and In der Pflicht - Lebensbericht eines deutschen Soldaten im 20. Jahrhundert ("In Duty - Life Report of a German Soldier in the 20th Century")(1989).
