Walter Graf von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt (13 July 1887 - 9 May 1943) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 July 1941 as General der Infanterie and Kommandierender General II. Armeekorps. The following wartime excerpt describes why Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt was awarded the Ritterkreuz: “On 24 June 1941 General der Infanterie Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt, the commanding general of the II. Armee-Korps, decided to capture the Russian fortress of Kowno on this day under any circumstances. The capture of this fortress was of decisive importance for the continuation of operations in this area. On 27 and 28 June 1941 he went on to smash several Russian divisions northeast of Kowno over the course of uninterrupted heavy combat within very difficult terrain.”
Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt received the Eichenlaub #103 for his Ritterkreuz on 27 June 1942 as General der Infanterie and Kommandierender General II. Armeekorps. The following wartime excerpt describes why Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt was awarded the Eichenlaub: "“On 23 June 1942 General der Infanterie Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt received the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for the brave steadfastness of his troops and for his own leadership abilities. This award serves as visible recognition for his soldiers’ honourable and heroic combat during the battle of Demyansk. The commanding general received this award for both the efforts of his 6 divisions as well as his own personal disposition. Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt exuded confidence and firmness during all crisis situations, and in this capacity he served as a model for his soldiers. How often did his Grenadiers, Pioniere and Kanoniere see the ‘Fieseler-Storch’ of the General over their positions? And yet few knew that this officer suffered from severe rheumatic pain. He did not let his soldiers become aware that he had this disease, instead he only let them see only one thing: devotion to duty.”
Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28519/Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt-Graf-von-Walter.htm
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