Bio of SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst-August Krag (1915-1994)

Ernst-August Krag

Date of Birth: 20.02.1915 - Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Hessen (German Empire)
Date of Death: 24.05.1994 - Niedernhausen, Wiesbaden, Hessen (Germany)

Promotions:
01.07.1938 SS-Unterscharführer
09.11.1939 SS-Untersturmführer
20.04.1941 SS-Obersturmführer
20.04.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer
20.04.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer

Career:
01.05.1935 5.Sturm / SS-Standarte "Germania"
00.00.1937 Paratrooper training in Fallschirmjäger-Schule Stendal
00.05.1938 9.Sturm / SS-Standarte "Der Führer"
00.11.1938 - 22.08.1939 SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
00.00.1939 - 00.00.1940 Artillery training
00.05.1940 1.Batterie / SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Verfügungsdivision
00.06.1941 Führer 5.Batterie / SS-Artillerie-Regiment 2 "Reich"
00.09-10.1941 Adjutant SS-Artillerie-Regiment 2 "Reich"
00.12.1941 Chef 3.Kompanie / SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Reich"
00.11.1942 Chef 2.Batterie / SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 2 "Reich"
00.02.1943 Chef 1.Batterie / SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"
00.06.1943 Kommandeur SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"
00.06.1944 Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"
00.05.1945 - 00.01.1948 Surrendered to the Americans in Linz and became POW
00.01.1948 Released

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.193_ SS-Ehrendegen
00.00.1938 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
00.00.193_ Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
25.07.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
27.07.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
14.07.1942 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
03.08.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
00.00.194_ Panzerkampfabzeichen
09.04.1943 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
05.08.1943 Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
03.04.1944 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
26.07.1944 Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold
02.08.1944 Panzerkampfabzeichen II.Stufe "25"
12.08.1944 Nahkampfspange in Silber
23.10.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #3915, as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich" / 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich". Krag’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows: “After the 2. SS-Panzer-Division ‘Das Reich’ had broken out of the area northeast of Avranches towards the southeast on the night of the 28./29.07.1944, it aimed to create a new frontline along the line Percy-Sourdeval. In this time SS-Sturmbannführer Krag built up a blocking line on his own initiative opposite the enemy forces that had penetrated into Gavray. By this he prevented a hostile thrust into the deep flank of the Division. Krag acted within a clear understanding of the situation, and despite being all on his own with only weak forces at hand he managed to achieve a full defensive success against overwhelming enemy armoured forces. This brave battle fought by SS-Sturmbannführer Krag and his Abteilung enabled his Division and the other units of the LXXXIV. Korps to build a new front. Krag and his Abteilung destroyed 9 enemy tanks in the Gavray area, along with a great number of armoured and unarmoured vehicles. They also inflicted bloody personnel losses upon the foe. Krag is a brave and exemplary leader. On the grounds of his initiative and brave personal actions I hold him as worthy to be awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”
28.02.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #755, as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich" / 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich". Krag’s Eichenlaub recommendation reads as follows: “On the 02.01.1945 Krag and his Aufklärungs-Abteilung managed to intercept a strong enemy breakthrough east of Malempre (supported by 22 tanks) in their blocking position near Belle Haie. The Abteilung inflicted heavy losses on the foe, and during this display of ferocious combat they prevented the enemy from advancing to the crossroads at Baraque de Fraiture (a location of great importance for the continuation of the fighting in the area). Krag would go on to withstand a further strong enemy thrust on the 04.01.1945, again inflicting heavy losses despite having open flanks on both sides. In this engagement he launched a bold counterthrust with 8 Pionieren that succeeded in eliminating an enemy penetration and ensuring that the friendly blocking position remained firmly in our control by the evening of the day. Through these actions conducted in the positions before the crossroads at Baraque de Fraiture, completed in spite of a danger of encirclement and a minimal number of men and weapons, Krag enabled the withdrawal of friendly elements to both the left and right. His accomplishments also gave the leadership an opportunity to undertake the urgently necessary repositioning of friendly forces, compelled the enemy to regroup and prevented a potential enemy breakthrough towards the southeast.”

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Ernst Krag joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1935 and was assigned to the 5th Company, Germania Regiment. In 1937, he volunteered for paratroop training at the Luftwaffe school at Stendal, following which he returned to the division and was promoted to SS-Unterscharführer. He was then selected for officer training and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tolz from November 1938 to August 1939. After some additional training at the Artillery school at Jüterbog, Krag was posted as the commander of the 3rd Battery, 3rd SS Artillery regiment, Das Reich.

In 1940, Krag was the adjutant for the 1st Battalion under Herbert Otto Gille. He was severely wounded on 23 January and returned to Germany to recover. When he returned to the unit, he was posted as the Artillery Regiment Adjutant holding this post for about 6 months. In October 1942, he moved to the Sturmgeschutz (StuG) Battalion as the 2nd Battery Commander. It was during this time that Krag was awarded the German Cross in Gold.

Krag took temporary command of the Sturmgeschutz Battalion in August 1943, and his command was later made permanent. In late July 1944, he was transferred to command the 2nd SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion of Das Reich, which he led through the Battle of Normandy and later, the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Knight's Cross and the only Oakleaves awarded to a member of the Reconnaissance battalion during his period in command of the battalion.

Krag survived the war and died in May 1994.

Helmut Kämpfe, Ernst August Krag, Albert Stückler and Heinz Lammerding.



SS officers in the southwest of France, spring 1944. From left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Helmuth Schreiber, SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst-August Krag, and SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Georg Christian.

Ritterkreuzträger among themselves: SS-Sturmbannfuhrer a. D. Heinz Macher (standing), SS-Gruppenführer a. D. Heinz Lammerding (left, seated), SS-Sturmbannführer a.D. Ernst-August Krag (middle) and SS-Oberscharführer a. D. Ernst Barkmann (right) at an event organized by OdR (Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger) in Regensburg 1959.

Source :
Mark C. Yerger photo collection
"SS Sturmbannführer Ernst August Krag" by Mark C. Yerger
https://www.dasreich.ca/krag.html
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Krag,_Ernst_August
https://www.facebook.com/frontsoldaten/photos/der-am-20-februar-1915-in-wiesbaden-geborene-ernst-august-krag-trat-am-1-mai-193/1284839921904755/?paipv=0&eav=AfarPoaVx5OaVLA6AUTBFa7BUcfRMqwp8uR0PV0eU2D9EPsFgEwJ_8iOUondjWtAmw0&_rdr
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Ernst_Krag
https://www.philipp-militaria.com/archivartikel/KRAG-Ernst-August-Traeger-des-Ritterkreuz-mit-Eichenlaub-SS-Sturmgeschuetzabteilung-Das-Reich--3714.html
https://www.stormfront.org/forum/t802805-378/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/35609/Krag-Ernst-August.htm
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/german-photographs-postcards/show-your-signed-photos-284539-4/