Ritterkreuz / Knight's Cross Actions

[AlifRafikKhan]

Albrecht Schnittger (1 Oktober 1914 - 13 Maret 1943) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 7 October 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 18 / 6.Infanterie-Division. The following wartime excerpt describes why Schnittger received the Ritterkreuz : “Oberfeldwebel Albrecht Schnitger… received the Ritterkreuz on the 07.10.1942 whilst serving as a Zugführer in an Infanterie-Regiment. This was in recognition of his conscious decision to counterattack a numerically superior Bolshevik force with only a few infantrymen of his own. He and his men succeeded in pushing back the enemy in close combat, a feat which in turn decisively influenced his Division’s successful defensive battle near Rzhev.”

Sources :
viewtopic.php?p=2343947#p2343947
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/179 ... brecht.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Wilhelm Wetzel (17 July 1888 - 4 July 1964) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 7 August 1942 as General der Infanterie and Kommandierender General V. Armeekorps. The following newspaper article (dated 12 August 1942) describes why Wetzel received the Ritterkreuz : “Pomeranian General Receives the Ritterkreuz - Breakthrough of a Bunker Position Near Rostov: The Führer has awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to General der Infanterie Wilhelm Wetzel, commanding general of an Armeekorps. General Wetzel… and his Divisionen had a major share in the swift seizure of Rostov. Here he personally led amongst the foremost friendly elements, and with these he forced a river crossing following bitter combat. Under his leadership his men also secured a breakthrough through the strongly fortified enemy bunker position in the northeastern part of the city.”

Sources :
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=htt ... kDegQIARBe
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/207 ... m.htm?c=aw

[AlifRafikKhan]

Wilhelm List (14 May 1880 - 17 August 1971) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 30 September 1939 as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber 14. Armee. List commanded the German 14. Armee during the invasion of Poland, attacking out of Slovakia on both sides of the Tatra mountains. Near the end of the campaign, in heavy fighting his Armee repelled all Polish attempts to breakthrough to the southeast via Lemberg, taking 64,000 Polish soldiers prisoner in the process. For this leadership achievement List would be decorated with the Ritterkreuz.

Sources :
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/List,_Wilhelm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/694 ... alther.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Gerd von Rundstedt (12 December 1875 - 24 February 1953) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1 on 30 September 1939 as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd. The medal was awarded for his leadership of Heeresgruppe Süd during the Polish campaign. In the ten-day battle of the Bzura (9-19 September 1939) the bulk of the Polish army was destroyed. On 27 September 1939 Warsaw was captured.

Rundstedt received the Eichenlaub #519 for his Ritterkreuz on 1 July 1944 as Generalfeldmarschall and Oberbefehlshaber West. The medal was awarded for the German defense along the Invasion Front, as well as his success in leading Heeresgruppe Süd during Operation Barbarossa. Rundstedt oversaw the Heeresgruppe during the victorious encirclement battles at Uman and Kiev, as well as the capture of the critically important Donez basin.

Rundstedt received the Schwerter #133 for his Ritterkreuz on 18 February 1945 as Generalfeldmarschall and Oberbefehlshaber West. The medal was awarded for his conduct of the war on the western front following the Normandy battles, including the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945).

Sources :
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/76875-ribbon-b ... -40-years/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/345 ... n-Gerd.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Kurt Heyser (27 August 1894 - 20 April 1974) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 26 May 1940 as Oberst and Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 47 / 22.Infanterie-Division (Luftlande). The following wartime excerpt (dated 30 August 1940) describes why Heyser received the Ritterkreuz: “Oberst Kurt Heyser tied down strong enemy forces with his air landed Infanterie-Regiment. Due to the lack of contact with his Division, this was an action that he executed totally independently. Despite being wounded twice in the process he retained command over his Regiment and demonstrated great personal bravery in the battle.”

Sources :
https://www.ebay.de/b/General-in-Milita ... 7004517826
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/476 ... r-Kurt.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Johann "Hans" Sandner (15 October 1921 - 26 December 1983) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 June 1941 as Oberjäger and Gruppenführer in 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 / 5.Gebirgs-Division. The following newspaper excerpt describes why Sandner received the Ritterkreuz: “Acting on his own initiative, Oberjäger Sandner was the first man of his attacking Kompanie to clear the only possible approach route to the Greek Kelkajia fortified complex (which consisted of over 10 bunkers). This act was of decisive importance for the storming of this position, which in turn was the key to breaking through the Metaxas Line in this area. Such a success was only possible thanks to his great personal bravery and sound judgement on the battlefield.”

Sources :
viewtopic.php?p=2347566#p2347566
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/171 ... n-Hans.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Erwin von Witzleben (4 December 1881 - 8 August 1944) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 24 June 1940 as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber 1. Armee. On 10 May 1940 the order was issued to attack the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and France (Fall Gelb), after it had been postponed no less than 28 times. Von Witzleben’s troops were ordered to launch fake attacks in this first phase on limited targets in the Maginot line in order to tie down the troops. Von Witzleben launched the attack by 1. Armee on June 14 and his task was to force a breakthrough of the Maginot line in co-operation with 7. Armee. Just a day later, Von Witzleben and his army succeeded in penetrating the line and in the days following had surrounded it completely. On June 22, the encirclement was completed and Von Witzleben’s 1. Armee gained complete control over the area. Following the surrender of France on June 22, Von Witzleben was awarded the Ritterkreuz by his superior Generaloberst Wilhelm von Leeb.

Source:
https://www.tracesofwar.com/articles/49 ... in-von.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Heinrich-Anton Deboi (6 April 1893 - 5 July 1955) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 10 September 1942 as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 44. Infanterie-Division. On 22 June 1942 the 44. Infanterie-Division was ordered to open a path through the Soviet defenses towards Kupjansk (on the Oskol river) for General der Kavallerie Eberhard von Mackensen’s III. Panzerkorps. Under Deboi’s masterful leadership the Division succeeded in breaking through the Soviet position to a depth of 8 km a mere four hours after the start of the attack, and by doing so a way was opened up for the Panzer-Korps to commence a relentless pursuit battle all the way to the Don river. Deboi would be awarded the Ritterkreuz for executing such a successful assault.

Sources :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41818881@N06/13087049893
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/334 ... -Anton.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Eduard Skrzipek (26 June 1917 - 25 February 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 16 April 1943 as Oberleutnant and Flugzeugführer in 5.Staffel / II.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 27 (KG 27) "Boelcke". The medal was awarded after about 350 sorties, during which he destroyed the following enemy materiel: 22 trains, 45 aircraft on the ground, and 3 aircraft in the sky.

On 24 June 1944 Skrzipek received the Eichenlaub #509 for his Ritterkreuz as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 14.Staffel (Eis) / Kampfgeschwader 27 "Boelcke". The medal was awarded following the completion of over 575 sorties, during which he was particularly successful in destroying enemy trains, claiming a total of 43 destroyed.

Sources :
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Eduard_Skrzipek
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/269 ... Eduard.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Hans Sturm (29 July 1920 - 11 December 2004) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 26 September 1942 as Gefreiter and Melder in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 473 / 253.Infanterie-Division. Hans Sturm was Kompanie runner in Infanterie-Regiment 473 (of the 253. Infanterie-Division). During a Soviet attack near Rzhev, Sturm was ordered to assess the situation. As he was heading for a German machine gun position, a Soviet grenade knocked out the machine gun position. Sturm jumped in and resumed firing the machine gun at the advancing Soviets. A Soviet tank round landed nearby, wounding him severely. Despite his wounds he resumed firing the machine gun and throwing grenades until a relief force drove off the remaining attackers. It was later determined that his actions saved the Regiment from being encircled.

Sources :
"Hans Sturm: A Soldier's Odyssey on the Eastern Front" by Gordon Williamson
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/193 ... m-Hans.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Friedrich Bader (21 June 1908 - 16 May 1997) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 12 August 1944 as Major and Kommandeur Hochgebirgsjäger-Bataillon 3. The medal was awarded for distinguishing himself with his Bataillon during the fighting near Ceccano, Central Italy. On 19 and 21 May 1944, he distinguished himself particularly through his personal bravery during the fighting in the Campodimele area. On May 19, he received the order to take Monte le Pezze and point 781 north of it and to make it possible to hold the San Nicola mountain pass. Possession of the pass was of crucial importance for maintaining the line of resistance and the prerequisite for the planned deposition of the German troops of the "Cassino Front" in the entire section. Major Bader succeeded in carrying out this assignment under the most difficult of conditions. On May 21, 1944, he and his battalion managed to repel several British attacks on the battalion's positions. He also achieved success in bitter forest combat against attacking Moroccan forces, and by doing so he majorly contributed to fulfilling his Kampfgruppe’s task of covering the German retreat.

Sources :
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Bader,_Friedrich
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/281 ... -Fritz.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Ernst-Günther Baade (20 August 1897 - 8 May 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (#1026 Heer award) on 27 June 1942 as Oberst and Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 115 / 15.Panzer-Division. The following press excerpt describes why Baade was awarded the Ritterkreuz: "On 27 May 1942 Oberst Baade was able to prevent a strong British armoured attack in the rear of the Division through a combination of superior leadership, initiative and personal bravery in the foremost line. By doing so he laid the groundwork for the Division’s success on this day. Later, on 11 June 1942, he personally led a reinforced Bataillon of the Schützen-Regiment 115 against Hachheim’s fortified defense system. His unit was the first to enter these hostile positions, and under his leadership it was able to break the garrison’s tough resistance following 24 hours of uninterrupted combat. Oberst Baade’s superior leadership and personal bravery thus brought about victory at Hachheim".

Baade received the Eichenlaub #402 for his Ritterkreuz on 22 February 1944 as Oberst and Führer 90. Panzergrenadier-Division. The following press excerpt describes why Baade was awarded the Eichenlaub: "Generalmajor Baade has once again particularly distinguished himself during the heavy combat in southern Italy as the commander of a Panzergrenadier-Division. It is largely to his credit that all enemy efforts to take control of the hotly contested Cassino massif have so far failed. In order to instantly adjust his decisions to the situation at the frontline, Generalmajor Baade repeatedly occupied forward command posts between the infantry and foremost Batteries with only his Ordonnanzoffizier and a few messengers. From here, and despite the heavy enemy fire, he repeatedly intervened in the combat wherever it was most necessary and thereby reinforced the will to resist of his soldiers...”

Baade received the Schwerter #111 for his Eichenlaub on 16 November 1944 as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 90. Panzergrenadier-Division. The medal was awarded for distinguishing himself with his Division during the combat along the Italian front in 1944.

Sources :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-315-1110-13
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/151 ... Cnther.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Paul-Hermann Werner (19 March 1893 - 30 June 1940) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 June 1940 as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 31 / 5.Panzer-Division. The following wartime excerpt (dated 30 August 1940) describes why Werner received the Ritterkreuz: "Oberst Paul-Hermann Werner, commander of a Panzer-Regiment, smashed an advance by strong enemy tank forces that was aimed at an important march route. This was made possible through his determined conduct and skillful leadership of his own troops. Later on he made the independent decision to seize the Maubeuge Fortress from the south. Along with elements of his Regiment, he occupied the citadel as well as two forts. These were then held until the arrival of further reinforcements."

Sources :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/640 ... ermann.htm
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&start=20400

[AlifRafikKhan]

Karl-Willi "Peter" Lumpp (26 June 1915 - 31 March 2001) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 July 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 226 / 79.Infanterie-Division. Here is his story: After repeated efforts to smash through the centre of the German Blue Line, the Soviet 56th Army shifted its main effort northwards in late May 1943 and tried to advance along the Kiyevskoye–Varenikovskaya road. The German 79.Infanterie-Division had been destroyed at Stalingrad in February but it was quickly reconstituted and sent to the Kuban in mid-May. Yet despite its ad hoc constitution, the new 79.Infanterie-Division proved very solid in the defence, even when attacked by masses of Soviet infantry and tanks on 27 May. The key to the German main line of defence in this sector proved to be the tiny village of Borisovka, just east of Kiyevskoye, held by I./Grenadier-Regiment 226. Relentless Soviet artillery bombardments and attacks decimated the German battalion, reducing it to just 83 men, but the village was held. After the battalion commander was badly wounded, Oberleutnant d. R. Karl-Will Lumpp, commander of 3.Kompanie, assumed command of the survivors. On the morning of 28 May, the Soviet 32nd Guards Rifle Division mounted an all-out attack, supported by tanks and artillery, which overran most of Borisovka. Lumpp was wounded, and after most of their ammunition was exhausted, his men were forced to retreat into one corner of the village. However, German doctrine was always to counterattack before the enemy could consolidate on the objective and Lumpp managed to rally the last 50 survivors and lead them in a desperate effort to recover the village. The Germans surged forward, armed with entrenching tools, bayonets and rifle butts and caught the Soviet infantry by surprise. A frenzied, close-quarter melee ensued, while Lump managed to destroy a Soviet tank with a magnetic mine. The fighting in Borisovka was vicious and typical of the infantry combat in the Kuban. Caught off balance by Lumpp's counterattack, the Soviets abandoned the village and retreated. Lumpp, who was wounded six times, was awarded the Ritterkreuz for his accomplishment in preventing an enemy breakthrough.

Sources :
https://www.facebook.com/ILoveMilitaryH ... 6604687574
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/392 ... -Peter.htm

[AlifRafikKhan]

Ernst Alex (1 March 1915 - 25 October 1965) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 1 August 1941 as Oberwachtmeister and Zugführer in 1.Kompanie / Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 243 / XXXXIX.Gebirgskorps. The following newspaper article describes why Alex received the Ritterkreuz: “Oberwachtmeister Ernst Alex… was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 1 August 1941. Oberwachtmeister Alex destroyed a total of 10 enemy tanks with his Sturmgeschütz during the tank battle at Jaworow on 26 June 1941 and during a nocturnal attack on the night of the 27-28 June 1941. These swift and determined actions established the appropriate conditions for a rapid advance on Lemberg by his Division [1. Gebirgs-Division]. During this continued forward advance he encountered a Soviet armoured train at the Kopysynac railway station. He opened fire on it from very close range and successfully destroyed its heavy 15-cm gun. Pursuing the enemy closely, his greatest achievement came on 23 July 1941. Fighting at the head of his Division, he secured the crossing over the Bug river at Brazlaf on this day. In the process he became badly wounded.” Alex was awarded the Ritterkreuz for these achievements as well as for reaching a personal total of 27 tanks destroyed.

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/280 ... -Ernst.htm