Saturday, December 24, 2022

Ritterkreuz Action of Erich-Heinrich Clößner

Erich-Heinrich Clößner (17 September 1888 - 28 March 1976) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 29 September 1940 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 25. Infanterie-Division. The following wartime excerpt describes why Clößner was awarded the Ritterkreuz: "Over the course of 5-7 June 1940 Generalleutnant Clößner led his troops forwards over the Oise-Aisne Kanal, and afterwards stormed the Chemin des Dames and the Laffaux heights with his men.” The following press excerpt from October 1940 further details these actions as follows: "Between 5 and 10 June 1940 Generalleutnant Clößner decisively contributed to the breakthrough victory of his Korps as well as the subsequent pursuit battles along the Aisne Canal and Marne river through the masterful leadership of his Division. During the assault across the Marne river his Division served as the pacemaker for the young neighbouring Divisionen against the desperately defending enemy. In doing so he brought about a military accomplishment of unusually high merit.”



Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28897/Cl%C3%B6%C3%9Fner-Erich.htm

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