Ludwig Crüwell (20 March 1892 – 25 September 1958) as a Generalmajor and Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #286 on 14 May 1941.
The following wartime excerpt describes why Crüwell was awarded the Ritterkreuz:
“Generalmajor Crüwell broke through the Yugoslavian border positions in the Nisava valley with his Panzer-Division. He and his men captured Nisch on the 09.04.1941 and broke the fighting capabilities of the Yugoslavian Army and People with the capture of Belgrade on the 13.04.1941. 40000 prisoners, 30 batteries, 24 aircraft and a large amount of other materiel fell into the hands of the 11. Panzer-Division.”
The following press excerpt further details these actions as follows…
“While serving in his role as commander of a Panzer-Division, Generalmajor Crüwell broke through the Yugoslavian border positions in the Nisava valley and reached the assigned objective of Belgrade within five days despite the very bad weather and road conditions. In the process he and his men smashed at least five enemy divisions and a cavalry division while also triggering the disintegration of further significant elements of the Yugoslavian army. The resistance of the enemy was thus shattered to the point where the government was forced to make an offer of a ceasefire already on the day after Belgrade’s capture.
This success can be attributed to the brave personal actions of Generalmajor Crüwell, who operated amongst the lead elements of his Division. His ruthless energy helped to ensure that his soldiers were able to overcome all the difficulties created by the weather, terrain and exhaustion.”
Submitted on April 17th 1941.
Preliminary document and decoration on May 19th 1941 to AOK 12.
“Generalmajor Crüwell broke through the Yugoslavian border positions in the Nisava valley with his Panzer-Division. He and his men captured Nisch on the 09.04.1941 and broke the fighting capabilities of the Yugoslavian Army and People with the capture of Belgrade on the 13.04.1941. 40000 prisoners, 30 batteries, 24 aircraft and a large amount of other materiel fell into the hands of the 11. Panzer-Division.”
The following press excerpt further details these actions as follows…
“While serving in his role as commander of a Panzer-Division, Generalmajor Crüwell broke through the Yugoslavian border positions in the Nisava valley and reached the assigned objective of Belgrade within five days despite the very bad weather and road conditions. In the process he and his men smashed at least five enemy divisions and a cavalry division while also triggering the disintegration of further significant elements of the Yugoslavian army. The resistance of the enemy was thus shattered to the point where the government was forced to make an offer of a ceasefire already on the day after Belgrade’s capture.
This success can be attributed to the brave personal actions of Generalmajor Crüwell, who operated amongst the lead elements of his Division. His ruthless energy helped to ensure that his soldiers were able to overcome all the difficulties created by the weather, terrain and exhaustion.”
Submitted on April 17th 1941.
Preliminary document and decoration on May 19th 1941 to AOK 12.
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2282510#p2282510
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13410/Cr%C3%BCwell-Ludwig.htm
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