Otto Heidkämper (13 March 1901 - 17 February 1969) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 February 1943 as Oberst im Generalstab and Chef des Generalstabes XXIV. Panzerkorps. Heidkämper’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows: “After his commanding general had fallen and his staff had been dispersed by a Soviet tank attack, Oberst i.G. Heidkämper went to the fighting troops on 15 January 1943 (these included the 385. and 387. Infanterie-Divisionen). Along with the Italian Alpine Corps, this group was encircled by the enemy. After the death of the commanding general, Eibl, Oberst i.G. Heidkämper took over command of the group in the place of several Italian and one German generals that were present. With 9000 Germans and 11000 Italians, Oberst Heidkämper fought his way backwards for a period of 14 days, all while being cut off from all friendly contact and surrounded by an enemy that attacked from all sides. He was the soul of the will to break through. His freshness, confidence, energy and leadership were alone responsible for that fact that almost 20000 soldiers were able to escape destruction. In the daily combat, during which most German officers and NCOs became casualties, Oberst Heidkämper repeatedly distinguished himself through personal bravery. On 31 January 1943 he and his group were able to reach German territory, and thereafter the German and Italian troops could once again be reinserted into the main defensive front. The commanding general of the Generalkommando z.B.V., Generalleutnant Cramer, submitted Oberst i.G. Heidkämper for the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”
Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/friedrich-carl-von-steinkeller_EEC4EE2A4A
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/6163/Heidk%C3%A4mper-Otto.htm
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