Ritterkreuzträger of Grossdeutschland (58)

SCHWERTERTRÄGER

Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche (30 July 1893 – 25 April 1968)
Schwerter #27 on 28 March 1943 as Oberst der Reserve and Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)

Generalmajor Horst Niemack (1909-1992) was a German officer who served in the Wehrmacht from the late 1920s through the end of World War II, rising from cavalry roots to command armored reconnaissance and infantry units before later serving as a Brigadegeneral der Reserve in the Bundeswehr, and he earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, the Eichenlaub, and the Schwerter through repeated demonstrations of bold leadership in critical combat situations. As Rittmeister and Kommandeur of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 within the 5. Infanterie-Division, he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 July 1940 for his decisive actions during the Western Campaign; specifically, at midday on 11 June 1940 he led his unit in a daring thrust into the rear of enemy forces at Damery on the Marne river when a frontal advance proved impossible, an aggressive envelopment that demoralized the opposing troops and enabled friendly forces to cut off major enemy elements while swiftly reaching the river line. For his outstanding leadership of the same Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 during the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa under the 5. Infanterie-Division / V. Armeekorps / 9. Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte, he was awarded the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 10 August 1941 (the 30th such award); on 22 June 1941, commanding the divisional Vorausabteilung, he took a calculated detour off the main road to cut through Serijai and reach the Niemen river at Krikstonjai, and on 27 June he thrust toward the Niemen at Orla, where his Reiterschwadron advanced via Szczara through Korole into the area northeast of Piaski while the rest of the Abteilung moved via Korole, seizing Hill 132 south of Korole in addition to the assigned objectives and helping to seal off the escape routes of Soviet forces trapped in the Bialystok-Grodno pocket. Finally, as Oberst and Kommandeur of the Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment „Großdeutschland“ of the Panzer-Grenadier-Division „Großdeutschland“ / LVII. Armeekorps / 8. Armee / Heeresgruppe Süd, he received the Schwerter on 4 June 1944 (the 69th such award) for repelling a major Soviet assault east of the Sereth that began on 2 May 1944; when a group of 34 enemy tanks suddenly appeared near his command post and threatened a vital crossroads, Niemack had only his staff, communications platoon, and some drivers available, yet he personally led this small force into close combat, destroying eight tanks including personally dispatching the Soviet command tank and its leader, an action that broke the momentum of the enemy attack in that sector and earned him the distinction as one of the earliest recipients of the Swords. These successive awards reflected Niemack’s consistent pattern of taking personal initiative at decisive moments across the Western and Eastern Fronts, later culminating in his command of the Panzer-Lehr-Division in early 1945.

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EICHENLAUBTRÄGER


Walter Hoernlein (2 January 1893 - 14 September 1961)
Eichenlaub #213 on 15 March 1943 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Peter Frantz (24 July 1917 - 11 March 2001)
Eichenlaub #228 on 14 April 1943 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)
Ritterkreuz on 4 June 1942 as Oberleutnant and Chef 16.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert) / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)

Otto-Ernst Remer (18 August 1912 - 4 October 1997)
Eichenlaub #325 on 12 November 1943 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert) / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"
Ritterkreuz on 18 May 1943 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert) / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)

Karl Lorenz (24 January 1904 - 3 October 1964)
Eichenlaub #395 on 12 February 1944 as Oberst and Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert) / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"
Ritterkreuz on 17 December 1942 as Major and Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)

Diddo Diddens (22 April 1917 - 27 September 1997)
Eichenlaub #501 on 15 June 1944 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 1.Batterie / Sturmgeschütz-Brigade "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

Jörg Burg (25 September 1919 - 21 August 1944)
Eichenlaub #604 on 4 October 1944 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 7.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Horst Warschnauer (28 December 1919 - 26 December 1948)
Eichenlaub #753 on 24 February 1945 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"
Ritterkreuz on 12 December 1942 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 2.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Erich Schroedter (1 May 1919 - 7 December 1994)
Eichenlaub #808 on 28 March 1945 as Rittmeister and Kommandeur Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"
Ritterkreuz on 23 October 1944 as Rittmeister and Kommandeur Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

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RITTERKREUZTRÄGER

Karl Hänert (25 October 1914 - 14 October 1941)
Ritterkreuz on 23 August 1941 as Oberleutnant and Chef 4.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Alfred Greim (8 August 1902 - 19 May 1943)
Ritterkreuz on 4 June 1942 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Carl-Ludwig Blumenthal (20 December 1917 - 9 March 1989)
Ritterkreuz on 18 September 1942 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 1 "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Ludwig Kohlhaas (13 January 1905 - 30 November 1942)
Ritterkreuz on 21 November 1942 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Hans Klemm (27 September 1916 - 9 December 1996)
Ritterkreuz on 10 December 1942 as Unteroffizier and Gruppenführer in II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 1 "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)  / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Max Böhrendt (24 August 1908 - 31 March 1997)
Ritterkreuz on 8 February 1943 as Oberleutnant and Flugabwehr-Zugführer in the Stabskompanie / Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"  / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Kurt Gehrke (13 January 1903 - 24 October 1944)
Ritterkreuz on 8 February 1943 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"  / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Hanns Magold (16 November 1918 - 15 September 1944)
Ritterkreuz on 3 April 1943 as Oberleutnant and Chef 1.Batterie / Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)

Rudolf Wätjen (9 January 1915 - 19 February 2005)
Ritterkreuz on 14 April 1943 as Major and Kommandeur Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Walter Pössl (16 September 1909 - 25 September 1944)
Ritterkreuz on 20 April 1943 as Major and Kommandeur I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert)



Wilhelm Wegner (21 September 1914 - 10 March 1989)
Ritterkreuz on 13 June 1943 as Oberwachtmeister and Zugführer in 1.Batterie / Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Erich Kahsnitz (17 February 1898 - 29 July 1943)
Ritterkreuz on 15 July 1943 as Oberst and Kommandeur Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Helmuth Spaeter (11 March 1918 - 5 July 1999)
Ritterkreuz on 28 July 1943 as Rittmeister and Chef 2.Kompanie / Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Gerhard Konopka (27 March 1911 - 29 January 1997)
Ritterkreuz on 29 August 1943 as Oberleutnant and Führer II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"  / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

Oldwig von Natzmer (29 June 1904 - 1 April 1980)
Ritterkreuz on 4 September 1943 as Oberst im Generalstab and Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier (Führung und Ausbildung) Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans Lex (21 January 1916 - 11 August 1994)
Ritterkreuz on 10 September 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 7.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Ernst-Albrecht Hückel (23 September 1919 - 24 December 1996)
Ritterkreuz on 27 September 1943 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

Josef Herbst (29 January 1915 - 20 August 1995)
Ritterkreuz on 30 September 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer II.Bataillon / Füsilier-Regiment  "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Leopold Poschusta (15 November 1919 - 15 November 1943)
Ritterkreuz on 12 November 1943 as Unteroffizier and Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Josef Rampel (5 April 1915 - 17 November 1943)
Ritterkreuz (posthumously) on 14 December 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and Halbzugführer in 11.Kompanie / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Siegfried Leyck (4 August 1915 - 7 July 1943)
Ritterkreuz (posthumously) on 17 December 1943 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Wilhelm "Willi" Kessel (6 March 1915 - 3 November 2002)
Ritterkreuz on 23 February 1944 as Oberwachtmeister and Zugführer in 3.Kompanie / Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Walter von Wietersheim (29 November 1917 - 19 January 2002)
Ritterkreuz on 15 May 1944 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Bernhard Klemz (21 March 1918 - 13 July 2004)
Ritterkreuz on 4 June 1944 as Hauptmann and Chef 5.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans-Friedrich Graf zu Rantzau (10 November 1918 - 28 September 1944)
Ritterkreuz on 9 June 1944 as Hauptmann and Führer II.Abteilung (Sf) / Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans-Hermann Sturm (12 June 1917 - 24 October 2012)
Ritterkreuz on 9 June 1944 as Oberleutnant and Chef 3.Batterie / Sturmgeschütz-Brigade "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Rudolf "Udo" Schwarzrock (19 June 1912 - 3 August 1959)
Ritterkreuz on 19 August 1944 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans-Dieter von Basse (16 June 1916 - 16 April 1945)
Ritterkreuz on 10 September 1944 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans Sachs (3 September 1923 - 12 August 2016)
Ritterkreuz on 10 September 1944 as Obergefreiter and Gruppenführer in 5.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans Röger (13 July 1920 - 12 April 2009)
Ritterkreuz on 21 September 1944 as Unteroffizier and Zugführer in 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Wilhelm Czorny (4 December 1924 - 22 April 1987)
Ritterkreuz on 4 October 1944 as Gefreiter and MG-Führer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Heinz Maaz (8 June 1922 - 12 November 1999)
Ritterkreuz on 4 October 1944 as Obergefreiter and Gruppenführer in 3.Kompanie / Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

Martin Bielig (29 August 1915 - 6 March 1945)
Ritterkreuz on 7 October 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 13.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Rudolf Larsen (2 May 1921 - 19 April 1998)
Ritterkreuz on 23 October 1944 as Unteroffizier and Panzerkommandant in 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Fritz Plickat/Plikat (25 June 1918 - 6 December 1982)
Ritterkreuz on 9 December 1944 as Feldwebel and Zugführer in 8.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Clemens Sommer (29 March 1912 - 21 March 1988)
Ritterkreuz on 18 January 1945 as Major and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans Bock (10 January 1919 - June 1997)
Ritterkreuz on 5 February 1945 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur schwere Panzer-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Wolfgang Heesemann (29 January 1906 - 6 February 1945)
Ritterkreuz (posthumously) on 17 February 1945 as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Georg Böhnk (18 February 1919 - 11 May 1972)
Ritterkreuz on 18 February 1945 as Oberleutnant and Führer II.Bataillon / Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Otto Pfau (28 December 1921 - March 1945)
Ritterkreuz on 23 March 1945 as Hauptmann and Führer I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

Rudi Kirsten (20 February 1914 - 30 January 1990)
Ritterkreuz on 28 March 1945 as Hauptmann and Führer Panzer-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Wilhelm Paul (7 November 1914 - 19 November 1983)
Ritterkreuz on 25 April 1945 as Unteroffizier and Zugführer in Wach-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Berlin"

Alois Frankl (16 November 1920 - 5 November 1987)
Ritterkreuz on 26 April 1945 as Unteroffizier and Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / Wach-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Infanterie-Division "Berlin"



Gustav Walle (6 September 1915 - 29 September 1970)
Ritterkreuz on 8 May 1945 as Major and Kommandeur Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Friedrich Anding (26 June 1915 - 7 February 1996)
Ritterkreuz on 8 May 1945 as Leutnant der Reserve and Adjutant Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Nepomuk Stützle (17 May 1924 - 18 October 1986)
Ritterkreuz on 8 May 1945 as Obergefreiter and soldat in Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Maximilian "Max" Fabich (8 September 1914 - 7 August 1988)
Ritterkreuz on 9 May 1945 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Hans Thiessen (13 November 1916 - 18 February 1945)
Ritterkreuz (posthumously) on 9 May 1945 as Leutnant and Führer 2.Batterie / Heeres-Flak-Artillerie-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

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ATTACHED (I.ABTEILUNG / PANZER-REGIMENT 26)


Hans-Siegfried Graf von Rothkirch und Trach (17 July 1912 - 11 July 1954)
Ritterkreuz on 4 October 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve and Kommandeur I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 26 / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Werner Neumeyer (17 July 1912 - 11 July 1954)
Ritterkreuz on 23 October 1944 as Leutnant and Zugführer in I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 26 / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Emil Rossmann (23 April 1920 - 20 January 2003)
Ritterkreuz on 23 October 1944 as Leutnant der Reserve and Führer 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 26 / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"



Heinz Bergmann (19 June 1914 - 30 April 1997)
Ritterkreuz on 26 November 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 4.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 26 / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"

Source :
Bundesarchiv photo collection
Andrey Zubkov photo collection
Rene Chavez photo collection
Sepp45 photo collection
"Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland" by Helmuth Spaeter
https://www.axishistory.com/books/150-germany-heer/heer-divisionen/4160-knights-cross-holders-of-panzergrenadier-division-grossdeutschland
http://grossdeutschland.freehosting.net/knights.htm
https://www.historic.de/Militar/Personen/Kohlhaas/Kohlhaas.htm
https://militariarelics.com/german/rk-autographs/war-time-signed/5333
https://www.tracesofwar.com/search.asp?q=grossdeutschland
https://web.archive.org/web/20111228121111/http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/B/Bi/Bielig-Martin.htm