Full name: Waldemar von Gazen genannt von Gaza
Nickname: No information
Date of Birth: 6 December 1917 - Hamburg, German Empire
Date of Death: 13 January 2014 - Göttingen, Germany
Battles and Operations: Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Eastern Front (Battle of Kiev, advance to and capture of Rostov, Caucasus Campaign including Terek and Kuban bridgehead, defensive battles near Melitopol)
NSDAP-Number: No information
SS-Number: No information
Religion: No information
Parents: Oberst a.D. Werner Maria Oskar Maximillian von Gazen genannt Gaza and Helene Elsa Meyer
Siblings: Horst Oskar Maximilian Eduard von Gazen (died in action 1943), Werner Fritz Kurt von Gazen (missing in action 1941), Jürgen Constantin von Gazen
Spouse: No information
Children: No information
Promotions:
1 September 1938 Leutnant
1 September 1940 Oberleutnant
Hauptmann (prior to January 1943)
Major i.G. 1 August 1944 (Rangdienstalter 1 February 1943)
Career:
1936 Fahnenjunker with Infanterie-Regiment 66 (13. Infanterie-Division, later 13. Panzer-Division)
1939 Zugführer Infanterie-Regiment 66
Chef 2. Kompanie Schützen-Regiment 66 (later Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66)
April 1943 Führer Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66
28 August 1943 Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66
1 July 1944 transferred to Generalstab des Heeres for staff training
September 1944 Ia (operations officer) 13. Panzer-Division (Hungary)
February 1945 Ia 2. Panzer-Division (temporary commander 3-4 April 1945)
End of war taken prisoner in the Böhmerwald, released 1946
Awards and Decorations:
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 29 September 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse 14 October 1939
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold 15 November 1941 (as Oberleutnant, 2./Schützen-Regiment 66)
Panzerkampfabzeichen in Bronze
Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen
Kubanschild
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1193 on 18 September 1942 as Oberleutnant and Chef der 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66, 13. Panzer-Division. In July 1942, during the advance toward the Caucasus, Oberleutnant von Gazen led a thrust forward to the Temernik River. He captured an intact road bridge and established a bridgehead on the far bank. This rapid action prevented Soviet demolition attempts and enabled follow-on forces to cross, playing a decisive role in the successful capture of Rostov-on-Don on 25 July 1942. The bridgehead secured a key crossing point and accelerated the German offensive in the sector. (Note: Some secondary sources mistakenly link this award to the 1941 Battle of Kiev; the verified citation and timing confirm it was for the 1942 Rostov fighting.)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #182 on 18 January 1943 as Hauptmann and Führer eines Kampfgruppe (I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66), 13. Panzer-Division. In early 1943, as commander of a Kampfgruppe in the Caucasus (specifically during fighting in the Kuban bridgehead and related operations), von Gazen demonstrated outstanding leadership. In a single two-day period, his Kampfgruppe destroyed 22 enemy tanks. He also played a key role in the skilful and planned withdrawal of German divisions from the Terek and Kuban areas under heavy pressure, maintaining cohesion and minimising losses during the retreat. These achievements in defensive and mobile operations against superior Soviet forces earned the upgrade. The Eichenlaub were presented personally by Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair (Führerhauptquartier Werwolf) in June 1943 (some time after the official award date).
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #38 on 3 October 1943 as Major and Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66, 13. Panzer-Division. At the end of September 1943, during the intense defensive battles southeast of Zaporizhia and near Melitopol (specifically around Oktoberfeld on 30 September 1943), von Gazen’s regiment held the German line against repeated, heavy Red Army attacks. A Panzer group under his direct command (along with supporting units such as Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 243 and Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 721) distinguished itself exceptionally. His leadership prevented a Soviet breakthrough in a critical sector. The performance was so notable that it was explicitly mentioned in the official Wehrmachtbericht (armed forces communique) on 3 October 1943: “The Jägerregiment 138 under the leadership of Oberstleutnant Graf von der Goltz, a Panzer group under the command of Major von Gaza as well as Sturmgeschützabteilung 243 and the Heeres-Panzerjägerabteilung 721 distinguished themselves in the defensive battles south east of Zaporizhia.” Von Gazen was severely wounded in these engagements.
Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht 3 October 1943
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Waldemar von Gazen genannt von Gaza (6 December 1917 – 13 January 2014) was a German officer in the Wehrmacht during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, one of the highest military decorations of Nazi Germany.
Waldemar von Gazen was born on 6 December 1917 in Hamburg, in the German Empire. He was the son of an officer, Oberst a.D. (Colonel, retired). In 1936 he joined the military as a Fahnenjunker (officer candidate) in Infanterie-Regiment 66.
He was commissioned as Leutnant on 1 September 1938. During the early stages of World War II he served as a Zugführer (platoon leader) in Infanterie-Regiment 66.
Von Gazen participated in the Invasion of Poland in 1939 and the Battle of France in 1940. He was promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 September 1940.
He later transferred to the 13th Panzer Division, serving with Schützen-Regiment 66 (later redesignated Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66). He became Chef (company commander) of the 2nd Company in the regiment.
On 18 September 1942, as Hauptmann (Captain) and leader of the 2nd Company, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66, von Gazen received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions during the summer 1941 campaign, particularly in connection with the Battle of Kiev and subsequent operations on the Eastern Front.
He continued to serve on the Eastern Front. In 1942–1943 he commanded Kampfgruppe (battle group) elements during operations in the Caucasus region. As a Kampfgruppe commander, his unit achieved notable success against Soviet armored forces, including the destruction of 22 enemy tanks over a two-day period. His leadership also contributed to the organized withdrawal of German forces from the Terek and Kuban areas.
For these accomplishments he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (182nd recipient) on 21 December 1942.
Later, as Major and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66 or elements thereof within the 13th Panzer Division, he received the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (38th recipient) on 18 May 1943.
During the war he was wounded, including a shrapnel injury at Kirowograd that temporarily removed him from regimental command. He later returned to the division in a staff role, including as Ia (Operations Officer).
After the end of the war von Gazen pursued a civilian career. He became a lawyer and notary in West Germany.
He lived in later years in Göttingen, where he died on 13 January 2014 at the age of 96.
Source:
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Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedberg 2000.
Höffkes, Karl & Weber, Thomas. Ich traf Hitler. Berlin 2020.
Patzwall, Klaus D. & Scherzer, Veit. Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945. Norderstedt 2001.
Scherzer, Veit. Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945. Jena 2007.
Stockert, Peter. Die Eichenlaubträger 1939-1945. Bad Friedrichshall 2012.
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Von Seemen, Gerhard. Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945. Friedberg 1976.
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