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Friday, March 3, 2023

Willi Riedel Ritterkreuz Actions

Wilhelm "Willi" Riedel (10 November 1909 - 10 Februari 1982) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 October 1942 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 524 / 297. Infanterie-Division. The medal was awarded for distinguishing himself during the advance of the 297. Infanterie-Division towards Stalingrad while leading at the head of his battalion. He was recognized for remaining with his men despite being wounded twice.

Riedel received the Eichenlaub #186 for his Ritterkreuz on 25 January 1943 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 524 / 297. Infanterie-Division. The following newspaper excerpt (dated 29 January 1943) describes why Riedel received the Eichenlaub: “Hauptmann Riedel prevented an imminent breakthrough by strong enemy forces whilst serving with his Grenadiers south of Stalingrad. In this time, and even though he had been wounded twice by this stage, he formed a shock troop and threw back those Bolshevik troops that had advanced as far as his command post. At the end of November 1942 Hauptmann Riedel intervened in the exact same sector with his Kampfgruppe, captured numerous resistance nests and thereby closed a frontline gap.”



Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Willy_Riedel
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/16649/Riedel-Willi.htm

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