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Sunday, February 26, 2023

Ritterkreuz Ceremony for Harry Hoppe

The Ritterkreuz award ceremony of Oberst Harry Hoppe (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 424), which held on 12 September 1941. The medal was pinned by Generalmajor Hans Zorn (Kommandeur 20. Infanterie-Division [motorisiert]). This is a bit unique, since usually the division commander of the unit involved who awarded the medal (in this case, Generalleutnant Paul Laux, the Commander of 126. Infanterie-Division, in which the Infanterie-Regiment 424 subordinated). What is clear is that Hoppe got the prestigious medal for his brilliant performance in an attack on the city of Leningrad in early September 1941. At that ime he was appointed as Commander of Kampfgruppe Hoppe, which consisted of his own regiment with the addition of one battalion each of Infanterie-Regiment 76 and Panzer-Regiment 29. Especially for this attack, Kampfgruppe Hoppe was placed temporarily under the command of 20. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert), led by Zorn. So, that's why the medal was given by Zorn and not Laux. Hoppe himself is a veteran of the First World War with a myriad of medals (which is clearly visible in this video!).

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-OVE-Vt8h8

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