Hello,
I am new here and already looking for some info . I a searching for some biographical info on the commander of Panzergrenadier Regiment 192, Oberst Josef Rauch. Many, many thanks in advance.
Charles
Oberst Josef Rauch
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- Location: Belgium
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Rauch.
Born Feb 27, 1902. Entered the service as a volunteer in the 7th Engineer Bn, 1919 (12 year enlistment). Discharged as a sergeant, 1931. (Often Reichsheer soldiers were not allowed to reenlist.) Rejoined the army as a 1st Lieutenant, 1935. Named commander, 4th Company, 84th Mountain Engineer Battalion, Jan. 1, 1939. Commander 2 Co., 268th Engineer Bn when the war broke out, 1 Sep 1939. Later commander, 8th Engineer Replacement Bn (1940); 27th Eng Bn (1940-42); 110th Panzer Grenadier Regiment (1942-Jan 1943); and 192nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment (1943-44). Attended the Division Commanders' Course, Nov-Dec 1944. Commander, 18th Panzer Grenadier Division, Jan. 1, 1945-end of the war. Surrendered to the Russians and remained a POW until 1955. Retired to Landsberg. Died Aug. 14, 1984. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, 1942; colonel, April 1, 1944; and major general, April 20, 1945 (Hitler's last birthday). A very capable commander, as he proved in Normandy and the retreat across France, as a member of the 21st Panzer Division.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sandy Mitcham
Born Feb 27, 1902. Entered the service as a volunteer in the 7th Engineer Bn, 1919 (12 year enlistment). Discharged as a sergeant, 1931. (Often Reichsheer soldiers were not allowed to reenlist.) Rejoined the army as a 1st Lieutenant, 1935. Named commander, 4th Company, 84th Mountain Engineer Battalion, Jan. 1, 1939. Commander 2 Co., 268th Engineer Bn when the war broke out, 1 Sep 1939. Later commander, 8th Engineer Replacement Bn (1940); 27th Eng Bn (1940-42); 110th Panzer Grenadier Regiment (1942-Jan 1943); and 192nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment (1943-44). Attended the Division Commanders' Course, Nov-Dec 1944. Commander, 18th Panzer Grenadier Division, Jan. 1, 1945-end of the war. Surrendered to the Russians and remained a POW until 1955. Retired to Landsberg. Died Aug. 14, 1984. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, 1942; colonel, April 1, 1944; and major general, April 20, 1945 (Hitler's last birthday). A very capable commander, as he proved in Normandy and the retreat across France, as a member of the 21st Panzer Division.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sandy Mitcham
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- Posts: 202
- Joined: 03 Jan 2005, 22:11
- Location: Belgium
Thans a lot, Dr. Micham : that's the intel I was looking for... Anyone gotta pic of him?
About the name, I don't know whether he was really frequent in Germany, but checking through the awards sections I came across this name for a few times and not only as the name of Josef Rauch. My guess it was rather a frequent family name as is Smith in the US.
Cheers,
Charles.
About the name, I don't know whether he was really frequent in Germany, but checking through the awards sections I came across this name for a few times and not only as the name of Josef Rauch. My guess it was rather a frequent family name as is Smith in the US.
Cheers,
Charles.