12 Recipients of the Golden Oakleaves
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vonDunkelheit
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OK, let's be systematic!!. It's pointless giving out lists of names without stating the reasons why such names deserve the golden oakleaves.
In reality, golden oakleaves would have been awarded to those who did most for German victory, but this was not the case. So let us award the golden oakleaves to those who did most to expand the Reich and to make it last as much as it did.
1. Guderian. The mastermind of Blitzkrieg.
2. Von Manstein. The man behind Barbarrossa and the one who retarded soviet advance
3 Von Reichenau. The conqueror of France
4. Dönitz. Kept at bay enemy shipping for most of the war.
5. Kesselring. The only one who managed to forrestall an allied advance, Italy.
6. Von Rundstedt. Poland, France 1940, Ukrania, France 1944.
7. Himmler. In spite of all, he was responsible for the security of the Reich.
8. Adolf Galland. Fighter strategy against allied bombings
9. Erwin Rommel. Outstanding in Northern Africa.
10. Warlimont. The man of the backstage. He translated Hitler plans into deeds.
In reality, golden oakleaves would have been awarded to those who did most for German victory, but this was not the case. So let us award the golden oakleaves to those who did most to expand the Reich and to make it last as much as it did.
1. Guderian. The mastermind of Blitzkrieg.
2. Von Manstein. The man behind Barbarrossa and the one who retarded soviet advance
3 Von Reichenau. The conqueror of France
4. Dönitz. Kept at bay enemy shipping for most of the war.
5. Kesselring. The only one who managed to forrestall an allied advance, Italy.
6. Von Rundstedt. Poland, France 1940, Ukrania, France 1944.
7. Himmler. In spite of all, he was responsible for the security of the Reich.
8. Adolf Galland. Fighter strategy against allied bombings
9. Erwin Rommel. Outstanding in Northern Africa.
10. Warlimont. The man of the backstage. He translated Hitler plans into deeds.
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Helmut Von Moltke
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Deutsch Boy
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Rudel: already recieved
Erwin Rommel: Superb desert tactician, had the ability to sense the enemy coming, very popular field marshal
Erich Hartmann: most air victories scored
Wolfgang Luth: Highest ranking uboot commander (Kretschmer had been captured)
Sepp Dietrich: no reason, hitler just favored him
Hermann Göring: if there's any good decoration, goring always recieves it
kurt knispel: highest scoring panzer ace (wittman probably would have recieved it though, just because he was ss)
Erwin Rommel: Superb desert tactician, had the ability to sense the enemy coming, very popular field marshal
Erich Hartmann: most air victories scored
Wolfgang Luth: Highest ranking uboot commander (Kretschmer had been captured)
Sepp Dietrich: no reason, hitler just favored him
Hermann Göring: if there's any good decoration, goring always recieves it
kurt knispel: highest scoring panzer ace (wittman probably would have recieved it though, just because he was ss)
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Walter Model
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John Toner
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Dieter Zinke
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Mark Costa
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Dieter is correct. The requirements for the Golden Oakleaves stated that these 12 men were to be the "bravest of the brave front line soldiers" who already held ALL levels of the KC - hence each MUST be a Diamonds holder. And here is the catch -- they must be LIVING !!! So we can immediately eliminate Wittmann, Marseille, Nowotny etc etc. Men like Schellenberg did not even hold the KC. So if the war lasted a year or two these 12 men would be among those that held the diamonds and living --So take your pick from the remaining living "eligible" recipients:
Galland
Gollob
Graf
Strachwitz
Gille
Hartmann
Ramcke
Tolsdorff
Mateuffel
Mauss
Brandi
These below may not even qualify as they were not neccesarily Front Line Soldiers.
Kesselring
Dietrich
Balck
Schoerner
Saucken
Of course many other Swords winners could have been given the diamonds so others probably would have made the list later. But based on the existing living recipients and requirements --only the above would have qualified.
Mark
Galland
Gollob
Graf
Strachwitz
Gille
Hartmann
Ramcke
Tolsdorff
Mateuffel
Mauss
Brandi
These below may not even qualify as they were not neccesarily Front Line Soldiers.
Kesselring
Dietrich
Balck
Schoerner
Saucken
Of course many other Swords winners could have been given the diamonds so others probably would have made the list later. But based on the existing living recipients and requirements --only the above would have qualified.
Mark
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Walter Model
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Mark Costa
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Model:
I would add Tolsdorff over Gollob. Theodor Tolsdorff was the most decorated soldier of the Wehrmacht. So I do not get bombarded with replies, I must stress -- that is MOST decorated NOT highest decorated. Although I have a soft spot for Gollob, Tolsdorff would certainly have been given the Golden Oakleaves had the war lasted longer.
Mark Costa
I would add Tolsdorff over Gollob. Theodor Tolsdorff was the most decorated soldier of the Wehrmacht. So I do not get bombarded with replies, I must stress -- that is MOST decorated NOT highest decorated. Although I have a soft spot for Gollob, Tolsdorff would certainly have been given the Golden Oakleaves had the war lasted longer.
Mark Costa