Obstlt. Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte...

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Michael Miller
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Obstlt. Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte...

#1

Post by Michael Miller » 16 Dec 2005, 23:14

Seeking Luftwaffe and Bundeswehr promotion and award data on subject officer (I know, he was quite famous/legendary and I *should* already have this info, but I don't). Also- can anyone confirm or deny if he held SS membership of any kind during the 1930's?

With best regards / thanks in advance,
~ Mike



Dr. jur. / Dr. rer. pol.
Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte
Oberstleutnant (Luftwaffe)


* 30.03.1907 in München / Bayern.
+ 07.07.1994 in Aham an der Vils / Kreis Landshut / Niederbayern / Bayern.

Promotions:
00.00.1935 Leutnant
Hauptmann
Major
Oberstleutnant
Brigadegeneral d. R. (Bundesheer)

Decorations & Awards:
30.09.1943 Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (617.) as Oberstleutnant and Kdr. Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6 / 17.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” / LXXXIV.Armee-Korps / 7.Armee / Heeresgruppe B, Western Front
09.07.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Hauptmann and Kdr. I.Bataillon / Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3 / Flieger-Division 7 / XI.Flieger-Korps
26.02.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as Hauptmann and Kdr. I.Bataillon / Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3 (per Scheibert, 09.03.1942)
26.09.1940 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
27.09.1939 1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
11.06.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
00.00.194_ Ärmelband “Kreta”
00.00.19__ Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe
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Dieter Zinke
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Re: Obstlt. Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte...

#2

Post by Dieter Zinke » 17 Dec 2005, 10:53

Michael Miller wrote:Seeking Luftwaffe and Bundeswehr promotion and award data on subject officer (I know, he was quite famous/legendary and I *should* already have this info, but I don't). Also- can anyone confirm or deny if he held SS membership of any kind during the 1930's?

With best regards / thanks in advance,
~ Mike

Professor (01.04.1951)
Dr. jur. (07.07.1931)
/ Dr. rer. pol. (1950)
Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte
Oberstleutnant (Luftwaffe)


* 30.03.1907 in München / Bayern.
+ 07.07.1994 in Aham an der Vils / Kreis Landshut / Niederbayern / Bayern.

Promotions:
01.06.1936 Leutnant d.R. (35)
01.08.1936 Leutnant (RDA 01.07.1934)
01.10.1936 Oberleutnant (145 a), neues RDA 01.10.1936 (100)
01.10.1938 Hauptmann, neues RDA 01.02.1940 (41a)
01.08.1941 Major, RDA vom 01.01.1942 (83a)
01.08.1944 Oberstleutnant, RDA vom 01.07.1944 (23)
01.08.1956 Oberst der Reserve (Bundeswehr / Heer)
18.10.1962 Brigadegeneral d. R. (Bundeswehr / Heer)

Decorations & Awards:
30.09.1943 Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (617.) as Oberstleutnant and Kdr. Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6 / 17.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” / LXXXIV.Armee-Korps / 7.Armee / Heeresgruppe B, Western Front
09.07.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Hauptmann and Kdr. I.Bataillon / Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3 / Flieger-Division 7 / XI.Flieger-Korps
26.02.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as Hauptmann and Kdr. I.Bataillon / Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3 (per Scheibert, 09.03.1942)
26.09.1940 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
27.09.1939 1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
11.06.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
00.00.194_ Ärmelband “Kreta”
00.00.19__ Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe
17.03.1987 Großes Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Dieter Z. :D
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Walter Model
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#3

Post by Walter Model » 17 Dec 2005, 21:55

And here is a foto
Image
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Michael Miller
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#4

Post by Michael Miller » 19 Dec 2005, 18:50

Thanks very much to both of you. Excellent information and good photo.

Best wishes,
~ Mike
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Juha Hujanen
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#5

Post by Juha Hujanen » 20 Dec 2005, 18:47

Not much to add but Klaus Peters in Fallschirmjäger Rgt.3 a Pictorial History that he was also awarded with Ital.Kreuz i.G.(most likely from KG "v.d.Heydte" days in Africa).

It is also mentioned that he joined army 1.4.25 (Inf.Rgt.19) and he became Fsch.Jg.1.8.40.

Cheers/Juha
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Dieter Zinke
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#6

Post by Dieter Zinke » 20 Dec 2005, 19:41

Juha Hujanen wrote:It is also mentioned that he joined army 1.4.25 (Inf.Rgt.19) and he became Fsch.Jg.1.8.40.
Cheers/Juha
Juha,
correct is Diensteintritt (Reichswehr) 15.04.1925 Schütze A./Infanterie-Regiment 19, Landshut

01.08.1940 Übertritt zur Luftwaffe (at last Ib der 227. Infanterie-Division) and moved as
Freiwilliger zum Fallschirmjäger-Schul-Lehrgang beim 14. / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3

BTW: What is Italian Cross in Gold, surely you mean the "Deutsches" Kreuz in Gold.

Dieter Z.
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Michael Miller
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#7

Post by Michael Miller » 20 Dec 2005, 19:56

I think the reference is to the Italian Medal for Military Bravery. However I am doubtful he received it in Gold- my understanding is that only Hans-Joachim Marseille and Joachim Müncheberg received the Gold version of the award, while all other German recipients (even Rommel) received it in Silver (Medaglia d’Argento al Valore Militare). I have seen a photo of von der Heydte wearing the ribbon of the award in the buttonhole of his left pocket; it bears a small star, presumably a silver one.

Best wishes,
~ Mike
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Dieter Zinke
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#8

Post by Dieter Zinke » 20 Dec 2005, 22:00

Source:
Karl Alman (=Kurowski) "Sprung in die Hölle",Erich Pabel Verlag, Rastatt, 1965
2 x Italienische silberne Militär-Tapferkeitsmedaille (Medaglia d‘Argento al Valore Militare), Herbst und Winter 1942
25.10.1944 Nahkampfspange in Silber

BTW: Mike, you are absolutely right with Marseille and Müncheberg.

Dieter Z.
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#9

Post by Michael Miller » 20 Dec 2005, 22:05

Many thanks, Dieter! Great to have the date for v.d.Heydte's award, plus the NKS info.

Best,
~ Mike
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Michael Miller
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#10

Post by Michael Miller » 20 Dec 2005, 22:10

Updated, thanks to your help. In the photo I've seen of him (from Biblio-Verlag's book on Fallschirmtruppe RKT's), he wears a second combat badge (i.e.- besides the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen); I assume this is the Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe, but the details are not visible due to the angle of his pose>

Best,
~ Mike



Prof. Dr. jur. / Dr. rer. pol.
Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte
Oberstleutnant (Luftwaffe)


* 30.03.1907 in München / Bayern.
+ 07.07.1994 in Aham an der Vils / Kreis Landshut / Niederbayern / Bayern.

Promotions:
01.06.1936 Leutnant d. R.
01.08.1936 Leutnant (mit RDA vom 01.07.1934)
01.10.1936 Oberleutnant (later granted RDA vom 01.10.1936 (100)
01.10.1938 Hauptmann (later granted RDA vom 01.02.1940)
01.08.1941 Major (mit RDA vom 01.01.1942)
01.08.1944 Oberstleutnant (mit RDA vom 01.07.1944)
01.08.1956 Oberst d. R. (Bundeswehr / Heer)
18.10.1962 Brigadegeneral d. R. (Bundeswehr / Heer)

30.09.1943 Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (617.) as Oberstleutnant and Kdr. Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6 / 17.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” / LXXXIV.Armee-Korps / 7.Armee / Heeresgruppe B, Western Front
09.07.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Hauptmann and Kdr. I.Bataillon / Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3 / Flieger-Division 7 / XI.Flieger-Korps
26.02.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as Hauptmann and Kdr. I.Bataillon / Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3 (per Scheibert,
09.03.1942)
26.09.1940 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
27.09.1939 1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
25.10.1944 Nahkampfspange II. Stufe (Silber)
00.00.194_ Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe
00.00.19__ Fallschirmschützenabzeichen
11.06.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
ca. 1942 Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42”
ca. 1943 Ärmelband “Afrika”
00.00.194_ Ärmelband “Kreta”
ca. 1939 Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
00.00.19__ Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV. Klasse
Winter 1942 Medaglia d’Argento al Valor Militare (Silver Medal for Military Valor, Italy)
Autumn 1942 Medaglia d’Argento al Valor Militare (Silver Medal for Military Valor, Italy)
17.03.1987 Großes Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Last edited by Michael Miller on 21 Dec 2005, 18:44, edited 2 times in total.
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Juha Hujanen
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#11

Post by Juha Hujanen » 21 Dec 2005, 18:10

I'm sure you guys are right of Heydte's awards.

Peters book is dual language and his Italian is mentioned to be "Italian War Cross i.G" in English and "Ital.Kreuz I.G." in German.

Cheers/Juha
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Michael Miller
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#12

Post by Michael Miller » 21 Dec 2005, 18:30

It's possible it wasn't the Bravery Medal at all that v. d. Heydte received- it might have been the Cross for War Merit (see http://users.skynet.be/hendrik/eng/39italy.html for descriptions and photos of this and other awards, including the Medaglia al Valore Militare; it does not mention specific classes of the Cross for War Merit, but the images shown appear to depict a bronze and gold version of the award. So, Juha- perhaps your source is correct- "Italian War Cross in Gold"...

~ Mike
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