Ritterkreuzträger with Ehrenblattspange (Honor Roll Clasp)

EHRENBLATTSPANGE DES HEERES UND WAFFEN-SS

The Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS, known in English as the Honour Roll Clasp of the Army and Waffen-SS, was a prestigious German military decoration instituted during the Second World War to recognize exceptional bravery on the battlefield. Introduced by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1944, the golden clasp featuring a swastika encircled by an oak leaf wreath was designed to be worn on the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class as a visible mark of honor for soldiers whose names had already been published in the Ehrenblatt des Deutschen Heeres, the Army's Honour Roll. This Honour Roll had been established in July 1941 shortly after the invasion of the Soviet Union to publicly acknowledge acts of extraordinary personal courage by members of the German Army and Waffen-SS that went beyond the criteria for the Knight's Cross but demonstrated outstanding valor in combat. Approximately 4,556 clasps were awarded in total, with around 4,107 going to Heer personnel and 167 to the Waffen-SS, serving as both a high distinction for frontline troops and, in some cases, a pathway to promotion for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. The last official publications of awards occurred in February 1945, though some unlisted conferrals took place in the final chaotic months of the war.

Franz Pöschl received the Ehrenblattspange des Heeres (Honor Roll Clasp of the German Army) on February 15, 1945, while serving as a Major and commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143 of the 6th Mountain Division on the Arctic front in northern Finland during the Lapland War. On October 13, 1944, Pöschl distinguished himself by leading a determined defense of the strategically vital port of Liinakamari against a heavy Soviet assault, successfully repelling the attack and preventing the enemy from seizing this key position during the German withdrawal from Finland to Norway. This act of bravery earned him a place on the German Army's Honor Roll, resulting in the prestigious clasp award as recognition of his leadership and valor under extreme combat conditions in one of the war's final northern campaigns.

Source :
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehrenblattspange

Bio of Oberstleutnant Walter Kopp (1913-1974)

Walter Kopp

Date of Birth: 21.03.1913 - Alsenz, Bayern (German Empire)
Date of Death: 29.10.1974 - Gauting, Bayern (West Germany)

Promotions:
00.00.1933 Fähnrich
01.07.1938 Oberleutnant
01.07.1943 Major (9)
10.03.1945 Oberstleutnant (mit RDA vom 01.02.1945)

Career:
00.00.1940 Chef 3.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 5
00.00.194_ Pionier-Bataillon 369 (Croatien)
27.05.1944 Führer Jäger-Regiment 75
20.08.1944 Führer Jäger-Regiment 56
11.11.1944 Führer Grenadier-Regiment 1077
24.02.1945 Führerreserve OKH
21.03.1945 Panzer-Pionier-Ersatz-Bataillon 5
00.00.195_ Joined the postwar Bundeswehr
31.03.1971 Retired as an Oberst der Bundeswehr

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.1935 Ehrensäbel
15.07.1937 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht IV.Klasse (4 Jahre)
01.12.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
27.05.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
14.06.1940 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
24.10.1940 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
01.08.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
15.01.1943 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (for the wound received on 14.01.1943)
25.03.1943 Željezni trolist (Croatian Military Order of the Iron Trefoil), 3rd Class
11.05.1944 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
07.09.1944 Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
15.09.1944 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
03.10.1944 Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber (for the wound received on 22.08.1944)
07.10.1944 Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS (According to the Karteikarte, awarded on 29.09.1944)
18.11.1944 Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold (for the wound received on 21.10.1944)
09.02.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Major and Führer Grenadier-Regiment 1077 / 542.Volksgrenadier-Division
13.02.1945 Nahkampfspange in Silber

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After attending high school and graduating with a high school diploma, Walter Kopp began studying engineering at the University of Munich in 1932. In the same year, however, he decided to pursue a military career and joined the engineer corps or the pioneers of the Reichswehr.

During the Russian campaign, he distinguished himself as a company commander of the pioneers. Later, as a major and commander of the 5th Pioneer Battalion (5th Infantry Division), Kopp distinguished himself particularly during the heavy defensive and retreat battles in the summer of 1944. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on May 11, 1944, was named in the German Army's Honor Sheet and was awarded the Honor Sheet Clasp on October 17, 1944. Kopp then led the Volksgrenadier Regiment 1077 (542nd Volksgrenadier Division) and was awarded the Knight's Cross on February 9, 1945.

At the end of the war, Kopp was taken prisoner by the US and  released in June 1945.

After his release, he returned home and took over the management of the family business. He did this very successfully and became wealthy.

At the end of 1948, the headquarters of the CIA's "Office of Special Operations" (OSO) in the Federal Republic of Germany began the first stay-behind programs. The KIBITZ and VULTURE projects were run from the OSO headquarters in Karlsruhe to provide agents and the radio equipment they needed for this purpose. One of the agents recruited for KIBITZ was Walter Kopp (code name "KIBITZ 15"). In 1950, Kopp wrote to High Commissioner John Jay McCloy because, as a patriot and anti-communist, he no longer wanted to tolerate the communist activities in the Palatinate (KPD and the armed left wing of the SPD), nor the influence of the Soviet Union on post-war politics. The group around Kopp feared a Russian invasion and wanted to make themselves available to the US in the event of a national defense, including as partisans.

He brought his own network of agents into the program, which comprised around 60 people. Kopp, who initially received 1,000 DM in monthly expenses plus travel expenses and additional food expenses, saw himself as an independent freelance employee and partner, not as an "agent of a foreign occupying power" who stubbornly defended his men against the US attacks. This network consisted essentially of former Wehrmacht officers; the CIA leadership in Washington, which only wanted vassals and not "patriotic employees", finally dissolved the network in the spring of 1953 against the resistance of the German CIA section.

The CIA documents on Kopp were released in 2005 and show that as late as April 1953 the German CIA section was still trying to pass on Chief Agent (main agent) Kopp as an informant to another secret service or another CIA section. His commanding officer described him as "powerful, dynamic and energetic", he was a "typical German", Kopp was "nationalistic, educated, a tireless worker, a strong leader, albeit with a tendency towards daring and recklessness" ("Rashness"), which was, however, "balanced out by the prudence of his adjutant". The Americans, who neither know nor understand the German concept of honor "loyalty for loyalty", were annoyed that Kopp described his men as "good, honorable Germans" and was not prepared to distrust them or question them. Kopp and the CIA finally parted ways "extremely amicably" in May 1953.

In mid- or late 1953, Kopp was transferred to the "Blank" office, then joined the newly founded Bundeswehr. He retired as a colonel on March 31, 1971.

In the 1960s, Kopp was, among other things, the liaison officer of the military district command in Munich to the political parties. As such, in 1968 he confirmed the statement of NPD leader Adolf von Thadden

"I estimate the number of members of our party in the Bundeswehr to be around 1,500. Half are non-commissioned officers, around 250 are officers."

Walter Kopp did not think von Thadden's estimate was exaggerated to Spiegel:

"There is increasing interest in the NPD's slogans in the young officer corps."

Walter Kopp as a young Leutnant and adjutant of the Wehrmacht before the war. He is wearing a shoulder cords (Adjutantenschnur).

Oberleutnant Walter Kopp (center) with the members of Pionier-Bataillon 369 / 369.Infanterie-Division (Kroatien).

Hauptmann Walter Kopp (right) with the members of Pionier-Bataillon 369 / 369.Infanterie-Division (Kroatien).

Hauptmann Walter Kopp (left) with the members of Pionier-Bataillon 369 / 369.Infanterie-Division (Kroatien).



Beginnings of the German Bundeswehr in 1956: The first military officers are being introduced to the public by Oberstleutnant Walter Kopp (right), on a press conference which were held in Münich (Bavaria, Germany) on 26 January 1956. Kopp is a former Wehrmacht officer and also a Ritterkreuzträger.



Major Hans Endres and Oberst Walter Kopp of the Bundeswehr wearing their 1957 version medal bars. Endres received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 August 1943 as Hauptmann and Führer I.Bataillon / Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 74 / 2.Panzer-Division, while Kopp received the same medal on 9 February 1945 as Major and Führer Grenadier-Regiment 1077 / 542.Volksgrenadier-Division.

Walter Kopp awards and decorations (1957 version). This, along with other items from his grouping, were auctioned by Andreas Thies. Pictures from this grouping can be seen HERE.

 

Source :
Agustin Vazquez photo collection
https://www.alamy.com/the-first-military-officers-are-being-introduced-to-the-public-by-lieutenant-colonel-walter-kopp-ron-a-press-conference-in-munich-bavaria-germany-on-26-january-1956-usage-worldwide-image243758289.html?imageid=17F49B68-3757-46ED-BAE7-FF09749A05D7&p=173981&pn=1&searchId=6eb46a111f6eb74f6c4ca0344b541ce8&searchtype=0
https://www.andreas-thies.de/katalog/A81.html
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Kopp,_Walter_(1913)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Kopp
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=168068&hilit=walter+kopp
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/the-first-military-officers-are-being-introduced-to-the-news-photo/1137802917
https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/agnse/wiki-Kopp.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/10266/Kopp-Walter-WH-GrenRgt-1077.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20110105151154fw_/http://ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/K/Kopp-Walter.htm
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/-1957-medals-orders-and-decorations/646561-vets-wearing-their-57ers?p=7353270#post7353270

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Emil Schuler

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Emil Schuler (Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 218 / 7.Gebirgs-Division) which were held in Lappland region on 15 December 1944, while the award document dated 9 December 1944. The medal was presented by Generalleutnant August Krakau (left, Kommandeur 7. Gebirgs-Division).

Emil Schuler (10 October 1902 - 8 August 1983) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 December 1944 as Oberst and Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 218 / 7.Gebirgs-Division. Schuler's Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:

"Major Schuler is a daredevil who inspires his troops to higher achievements with his shining presence. As early as 4 September 1939 he received the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse as a company commander for his decisiveness during the crossing of the Warta river.
His established and trained I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 206, which Schuler led since the start of the Russian campaign, bears the stamp of his strong personality. During the attacks of the Division from 15-17 July 1941 he and his troops formed the spearhead of the Division, and later also successfully defeated stubborn enemy counterattacks backed by armour. For his success here he was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse on the battlefield.

On 10 August 1941 Major Schuler took over the leadership of his regiment after its commander had fallen in action. He did so at a most difficult time, specifically during the regiment's first offensive battles in the heavily fortified areas in front of Kiev. Nonetheless he was able to gain firm control over his new command and excelled in the following weeks of heavy offensive and defensive fighting. He particularly distinguished himself during the 4-day attack on the south front of Kiev from 16-19 September 1941. Each day Major Schuler proved himself through prudent leadership and exemplary bravery at the head of his regiment.

For the third day of the attack (18 September 1941) his regiment was intended to attack west of Myzhelovka with the "Schwerpunkt" on the left wing. They were to break through a heavily defended chain of lakes and push through to the northern edge of Kiev's city forest. The regiment began the attack at 11:00, with the I. Bataillon attacking on the left. On the right wing, the III. Bataillon was to conduct reconnaissance probes against the enemy field positions. The II. Bataillon formed the reserve, and Schuler placed it behind the left wing.

The first reports of the I. Bataillon indicated that the chain of lakes had been pierced, suggesting good progress in the attack. As such Schuler rushed forward, but by the time he arrived at 12:00 he found a completely different situation. Only very weak elements had penetrated into the enemy field positions, and these could go no further. The rest of the battalion was pinned down by MG and artillery fire from several previously unidentified bunkers and they suffered heavy losses. By contrast, at about 12:30 Major Schuler received a message from the III. Bataillon. It stated that they had penetrated into the enemy positions with powerful raiding parties, encountering only weak resistance. Upon hearing this, Schuler recognized that the Schwerpunkt of the attack had to be shifted to the right wing of the regiment, in contrast to the original plan of attack. In doing so he accepted the risk stemming from the as yet unknown situation on both sides of the regiment's attack.

With vigour and haste the regimental commander executed his decision. He personally directed the III. Bataillon to attack the heavily defended Hill 173 and threw in his reserve battalion in support of the right wing. The ever lengthening flank of the attacking force was by now becoming increasingly vulnerable. Major Schuler nonetheless stuck to his goal, personally deploying the companies of his II. Bataillon against the Northeast sector of the Kiev city forest. The deep flank and rear of his regiment would be the concern of follow-up divisional elements. When the regimental commander returned to the III. Bataillon to oversee its advance to Hill 173, the commander of the battalion was fatally wounded by a tree sniper while standing right beside Schuler. The regimental commander thus decided to temporarily take over the command of III. Bataillon, which was at this stage the primary unit in the attack. He succeeded in breaking through a total of six enemy defensive positions in his defensive web north of Myzhelovka, and seized Hill 173 by 15:30. During the course of the day the hard fighting enemy had once again suffered heavy losses. This day the regiment was able to capture 200 prisoners, 21 guns/mortars and 44 machine guns.

Through his independent decision, quickly put into action by Major Schuler with outstanding bravery, the critical enemy positions on the southern front of Kiev had been broken through and the way opened up for the attack on the city itself.

Due to the strong threat from the flanks during the attack of the regiment on this day, as well as the increasing losses suffered during the attack, a decision to temporarily halt the attack would not have been condemned. However in doing so the chances of a breakthrough in this place on this day would probably have been forsaken, and the enemy would have precious time to rest and be better prepared for any future attacks.

The bold and independent decision of Major Schuler thus brought about decisive success for the Division. The successful attack of the regiment on the afternoon of 18.09. despite the heavy enemy resistance is primarily thanks to the excellent personal bravery of the regimental commander. His leadership can also be credited for his unit's successes on the 4th day of the attack (19 September 1941), whereupon his regiment along with the Infanterie-Regiment 218 was once more able to break through several enemy field positions, finally penetrating into the city at around 10:00. And by 13:15 Schuler along with the forward elements of his troops had reached the Dnieper bank in Kiev itself.

Thus, on the grounds of his record of brave deeds (which culminated in his leadership being displayed at its best on 18 September 1941) I hold Major Schuler as being particularly worthy of the high honour of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes."

Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis was dated on 15 December 1944.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Emil Schuler (Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 218 / 7.Gebirgs-Division) which were held on 15 December 1944, while the award document dated 9 December 1944. The medal was presented by Generalleutnant August Krakau (left, Kommandeur 7. Gebirgs-Division).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Emil Schuler (Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 218 / 7.Gebirgs-Division) which were held on 15 December 1944, while the award document dated 9 December 1944. The medal was presented by Generalleutnant August Krakau (right, Kommandeur 7. Gebirgs-Division).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Emil Schuler (Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 218 / 7.Gebirgs-Division) which were held on 15 December 1944, while the award document dated 9 December 1944. Oberst Schuler saluting after the medal was placed to his neck. As per regulation, from 20 July 1944 all standard military salute were replaced by Nazi salute a.k.a. "Hitlergruß".

Oberst Emil Schuler (Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 218 / 7.Gebirgs-Division) posed for the camera after the Ritterkreuz award ceremony.

Source :
https://www.andreas-thies.de/auktionen/67-751342
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/18160/Schuler-Emil.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Hans Boelsen

Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen (6 March 1894 - 24 October 1960) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 17 September 1943 as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111 / 11.Panzer-Division. Boelsen’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:

“During the middle of August, in the aftermath of 4. Panzer-Armee’s withdrawal movement west of Belgorod, the 11. Panzer-Division found itself defending the Boromlja river (located in the Trostjanez area) with its remaining forces against continual massed assaults.

On 17 August 1943 the enemy succeeded in achieving a broad penetration to the north in the sector of the left neighbouring Division with 3 Guards mechanized brigades, 1 Guards tank brigade, 1 tank regiment and 3 rifle divisions. On the following day this was expanded to the south and west, and the recaptured lines of this Division were overrun. This created an immediate threat to the open left flank of the 11. Pz.Div.

Oberst Boelsen and his Regiment were deployed on the Division’s left wing at the time, and the commander received a message of these developments. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he acted without waiting for orders first as these could not be expected for some time due to the unclear situation. At that moment his Regiment was engaged in a counterthrust to the east, and already it was being forced to deploy drivers and clerks to the frontline. However he nonetheless took a few men out of the line and led them into the area west of Nikitowka-Belka. There he also gathered up scattered Grenadiers from the neighbouring Division. Due to the heavy losses of his own officers, leading to their consequent shortage, he personally placed himself at the spearhead of these rounded up groups. With these he launched himself against the hotly pursuing enemy forces and was able to throw them back with bloody losses via bold counterthrusts. The first one took place near Grusskoje, then near Nowosselowka, Skrebowka and finally near Baiwor.

In this manner he erected a chain of individual resistance centres from the east to the west along a several kilometres wide frontline that faced northwards. With this he weakened the hostile attacking power and held up their thrust to the south.

By completing such a brave and ruthless action on his own initiative, Oberst Boelsen succeeded in preventing the enemy’s intended rolling up of the north-south frontline at a very critical hour. This allowed the XXIV. Panzer-Korps (located southeast of Achtyrka) to complete its operations as planned without having to divert any of its forces.”

In addition to the more generic endorsements, the following statement by the commander of 4. Panzer-Armee (namely Generaloberst Hoth) provides an interesting insight into the overall significance of this action…

“The premature wavering of the 57. Division created an extraordinarily delicate situation on the 17 August 1943, as the currently disengaged 112. Infanterie-Division saw itself compelled to come back northwards to face the new southward enemy push. If the brave commander of the Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 had not kept his nerves and inspired his men to fight through his bravery here then the crisis would have expanded to encompass the entire XXXXVIII. Panzer-Korps.

This deed fulfills all the requirements for the Ritterkreuz. I have no hesitation in approving this submission.”


Source :
"Panzertruppen: Les troupes blindées allemandes - German armored troops 1935-1945" by Heimdal
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/2385/Boelsen-Drjur-Drrerpol-Hans.htm

Bio of Generalleutnant Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen (1894-1960)

Hans Boelsen

Date of Birth: 06.03.1894 - Emden, Hanover (German Empire)
Date of Death: 24.10.1960 - Frankfurt am Main, Hesse (West Germany)
Buried: Hauptfriedhof Frankfurt

Diploma In Economics: 1922
Doctorate In Political Science: 1923
Doctorate In Jurisprudence 1928
Battles and Campaigns: Battle of France (1940), Operation Barbarossa (1941), Battle of Uman (1941), Battle of Kiev (1941), Battle of Rostov (1941), Battle of Kursk (1943), Operation Shingle (1944), and Operation Diadem (1944)

Promotions:
05.12.1914 Fahnenjunker
06.04.1915 Fähnrich
21.06.1915 Leutnant (mit Patent vom 19.12.1913 G9g)
19.12.1919 Charakter als Oberleutnant (mit Wirkung vom 22.11.1919)
09.07.1934 Hauptmann (mit Wirkung vom 15.07.1934. RDA v. 01.10.1933 unter Vorbeh. der sp. Festsetz. der OrdnungsNr.; RDA als Leutnant 30.12.1919; RDA als Oberleutnant 01.02.1926)
02.02.1935 Hauptmann (-468- erh. OrdnungsNr. (69) zum RDA)
31.12.1937 Major (-7100- m. Wirk. v. 01.01.1938 (RDA v. 01.01.1938(53))
14.02.1941 Oberstleutnant (-1000- m. Wirk. v. 01.03.1941 (RDA v. 01.03.1941(41))
17.12.1941 Oberstleutnant (-6430- erh. neues RDA v. 01.02.1940(14b)
15.02.1942 Oberst (-1000- m. Wirk. v. 01.03.1942 (RDA v. 01.03.1942(205))
20.06.1944 Generalmajor (-3210- m. Wirk. v. 01.06.1944 (RDA v. 01.06.1944(13))
01.03.1945 Generalleutnant

Career:
07.08.1914 Ersatz-Bataillon / 2. badischen Grenadier-Regiment "Kaiser Wilhelm I" Nr. 110
22.10.1914 Ersatz-Bataillon / 4.Badischen Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Wilhelm" Nr. 112
05.12.1914 Ersatz-Bataillon / 10.Württembergischen Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180
06.04.1915 Transferred to the frontline as Zugführer (Platoon commander)
08.06.1915 Wounded by shrapnel and taken to the hospital
13.07.1915 Back as Zugführer in Ersatz-Bataillon / 10.Württembergischen Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180
00.00.1915 Zugführer in 2.Ersatz-MG-Kompanie / 10.Württembergischen Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180
17.03.1916 MG-Zugführer und Ordonnanz-Offizier im Stab / Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 247
00.08.1916 Transferred to a hospital due to a resting illness
11.12.1916 Transferred back to 2.Ersatz-MG-Kompanie / 10.Württ. Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180
17.01.1917 Bataillonsadjutant in Infanterie-Regiment 476
01.08.1918 Ordonnanz-Offizier im Stab / 242.Infanterie-Division
17.12.1918 Company and Platoon Leader in the Landesschützen-Korps (later renamed to Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 7 in Detachment Stobbe)
03.09.1919 Transferred into the Processing-Office of Infanterie-Regiment 180
19.12.1919 Retired from military
01.10.1920 Studying of Law and State-Sciences, in 1926 in higher Administration-Service and Municipal Firms
15.07.1934 Reactivated to Army Service
15.07.1934 With the I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 15
16.07.1934 - 14.09.1934 Detached to Course with the Training-Staff of Infantry in Döberitz
01.10.1934 Kompaniechef in Infanterie-Regiment Gießen
15.10.1935 Kompaniechef in Infanterie-Regiment 36
06.10.1936 Kompaniechef in Infanterie-Regiment 115
21.11.1937 - 11.12.1937 At the same time, Detached Staff-Officers-Course of the 33. Division
10.11.1938 Tactics-Instructor at the War School Potsdam
17.08.1939 - 17.10.1939 At the same time, Detached to the Infantry-School in Döberitz
15.10.1939 1. Adjutant (IIb) XXII. Armeekorps
06.03.1940 1. Adjutant (IIb) Panzergruppe Von Kleist
13.07.1940 1. Adjutant (IIb) XXII. Armeekorps
16.11.1940 1. Adjutant (IIb) Panzergruppe 1
15.05.1941 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Schützen-Regiment 111
26.06.1941 Wounded, in hospital
18.07.1941 Führerreserve – Wehrkreis III
29.07.1941 Kommandeur Kradschützen-Bataillon 160 (motorisiert)
04.12.1941 Taken ill, in hospital
21.02.1942 Führerreserve – Wehrkreis III
01.03.1942 Führerreserve OKH, detached to Lehr-Abteilung III / Infanterieschule Döberitz
09.03.1942 Kommandeur Lehr-Abteilung III / Infanterieschule Döberitz
15.01.1943 Transferred into the Stab / Infanterieschule Döberitz
15.05.1943 Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111
16.11.1943 - 14.12.1943 Participated in the 8th Division Leaders Course in Döberitz
05.03.1944 - 20.03.1944 Führer 29. Panzergrenadier-Division
11.04.1944 - 07.05.1944 Führer 26. Panzer-Division
19.05.1944 - 18.07.1944 Führer 114. Jäger-Division
19.07.1944 - 26.08.1944 Führer  26. Panzer-Division
10.09.1944 Kommandeur 18. Panzergrenadier-Division
04.02.1945 Führerreserve OKH
00.03.1945 Kommandeur Division zbV. 172
29.03.1945 In captivity
30.06.1947 Released

Awards and Decorations:
11.04.1915 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
07.08.1916 Württembergische Goldene Militär-Verdienst-Medaille
18.08.1917 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
11.01.1918 Württembergische Militär-Verdienst-Orden III.Klasse
06.06.1918 Verwundetenabzeichen 1918 in Schwarz
08.02.1935 Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914-1918
00.00.19__ Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht IV.Klasse (4 Jahre)
20.05.1940 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
28.06.1941 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
10.09.1941 Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
18.10.1941 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
17.11.1941 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
10.12.1941 Voenen Orden "Za Hrabrost" III stepen, 1 klas (Bulgaria)
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1914/42" (Ostmedaille)
18.08.1943 Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
17.09.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111 / 11.Panzer-Division. Boelsen’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows: “During the middle of August, in the aftermath of 4. Panzer-Armee’s withdrawal movement west of Belgorod, the 11. Panzer-Division found itself defending the Boromlja river (located in the Trostjanez area) with its remaining forces against continual massed assaults. On the 17.08.1943 the enemy succeeded in achieving a broad penetration to the north in the sector of the left neighbouring Division with 3 Guards mechanized brigades, 1 Guards tank brigade, 1 tank regiment and 3 rifle divisions. On the following day this was expanded to the south and west, and the recaptured lines of this Division were overrun. This created an immediate threat to the open left flank of the 11. Pz.Div. Oberst Boelsen and his Regiment were deployed on the Division’s left wing at the time, and the commander received a message of these developments. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he acted without waiting for orders first as these could not be expected for some time due to the unclear situation. At that moment his Regiment was engaged in a counterthrust to the east, and already it was being forced to deploy drivers and clerks to the frontline. However he nonetheless took a few men out of the line and led them into the area west of Nikitowka-Belka. There he also gathered up scattered Grenadiers from the neighbouring Division. Due to the heavy losses of his own officers, leading to their consequent shortage, he personally placed himself at the spearhead of these rounded up groups. With these he launched himself against the hotly pursuing enemy forces and was able to throw them back with bloody losses via bold counterthrusts. The first one took place near Grusskoje, then near Nowosselowka, Skrebowka and finally near Baiwor. In this manner he erected a chain of individual resistance centres from the east to the west along a several kilometres wide frontline that faced northwards. With this he weakened the hostile attacking power and held up their thrust to the south. By completing such a brave and ruthless action on his own initiative, Oberst Boelsen succeeded in preventing the enemy’s intended rolling up of the north-south frontline at a very critical hour. This allowed the XXIV. Panzer-Korps (located southeast of Achtyrka) to complete its operations as planned without having to divert any of its forces.” In addition to the more generic endorsements, the following statement by the commander of 4. Panzer-Armee (namely Generaloberst Hoth) provides an interesting insight into the overall significance of this action… “The premature wavering of the 57. Division created an extraordinarily delicate situation on the 17.08.1943, as the currently disengaged 112. Infanterie-Division saw itself compelled to come back northwards to face the new southward enemy push. If the brave commander of the Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 had not kept his nerves and inspired his men to fight through his bravery here then the crisis would have expanded to encompass the entire XXXXVIII. Panzer-Korps. This deed fulfills all the requirements for the Ritterkreuz. I have no hesitation in approving this submission.”

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Hans Boelsen was born on March 6th, 1894 in Emden in Ostfriesland and joined the replacement battalion of the 2. badischen Grenadier-Regiment "Kaiser Wilhelm I" Nr. 110 on August 17th, 1914 as a volunteer. From there he moved to the replacement battalion of the 4. Badischen Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Wilhelm" Nr. 112 on October 22, 1914 and to the replacement battalion of the 10. Württembergischen Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180 on December 5, 1914. Into the field On April 6, 1915, he was transferred to the position of platoon commander and as such was wounded by shrapnel on June 98, 1915.

Having recovered, Boelsen joined his regiment's replacement battalion on July 13, 1915, first as a platoon leader and later in the 2nd replacement machine gun company.

From March 17, 1916, he was a machine gun platoon leader and orderly officer on the staff of the Reserve Infantry Regiment 247. At the end of August 1916, he was transferred to a hospital due to a resting illness, and then from December 11, 1916, he was transferred back to the 2.Ersatz-MG-Kompanie / 10.Württembergischen Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180.

From there he was transferred to the 476 Infantry Regiment as a battalion adjutant on January 17, 1917, where he continued to take on the position of orderly officer and later that of deputy regimental adjutant.

From August 1, 1918, he was an orderly officer on the staff of the 242nd Infantry Division. At the end of the First World War, he joined the State Rifle Corps and the Reichswehr Rifle Regiment 7 in the Stobbe Detachment as a company and platoon leader. From there on September 3, 1919 to December 16, 1919 he was transferred back to the processing office of the 180th Infantry Regiment, where he was then released from army service on December 19, 1919 with the rank of Oberleutnant. In civilian life he completed his economics diploma in 1922 and received his doctorate in 1923. rer. pole. and in 1928 he received his Ph.D. jur.

From June 13th, 1933 to June 17th, 1933 he took part in a company leader course at the "Stahlhelm" in Mainz, and from September 10th. took part in the autumn exercise of the 12th Infantry Regiment until September 17, 1933.

From 1 February until 28 February 1934, Boelsen took part in a course at the SA leadership school of the SA Group Hesse as an adjutant of SA Standarte 25 and was employed in the 1st Battalion of Infantry Regiment 15 from July 15, 1934. As early as July 16, 1934, Boelsen attended a course at the training staff of the Döberitz Infantry School, returned to his regiment on September 14, 1934 and took over the position of chief of the 3rd company in the Giessen Infantry Regiment on October 1, 1934. On October 15, 1935, he took over the same position in Infantry Regiment 36 until it was relocated to the Rhineland as Infantry Regiment 105. As of October 6th, 1936, Boelsen was head of the 11th company in the 115th Infantry Regiment and visited from November 21st. a staff officer course for the 33rd Division until December 11, 1937. Furthermore, on March 25, 1938, he received the title of Dr. Dr. to be allowed to wear alongside his military rank.

Working as a tactics teacher at the Potsdam War School since November 3rd, 1938, he came to the Döberitz Infantry School on August 17th, 1939, also as a tactics teacher. With effect from October 15, 1939 he was appointed to the staff of the XXII. Army Corps transferred and took over the post of IIa. From there, on March 6, 1940, he was appointed IIa in the staff of Kleist's group, with which he took part in the Western campaign.

From July 13, 1940 as IIa again on the staff of the XXII. Army Corps, he took over the position of IIa on the staff of Panzergruppe 1 on November 16, 1940. Shortly before the start of the Eastern campaign, Boelsen moved to the 111 Rifle Regiment as commander of the II Battalion with effect from May 16, 1941 and was appointed on June 26. Wounded on the Eastern Front in 1941. Transferred to the Führer reserve during his recovery, he was appointed commander of the Motorcycle Rifle Battalion 160 (motorized) with effect from July 29, 1941. As such, he particularly proved himself in the battle near Rublevka on August 13th and 14th, 1941.

After he fell ill on December 4th, 1941, he was transferred to the Führer reserve on February 21st, 1942 and was assigned to Teaching Department III of the Döberitz Infantry School with effect from March 1st, 1942. There he was appointed commander of Training Department III (for motorized infantry) with effect from March 9, 1942. With effect from January 15, 1943, he was transferred to the school's command staff.

On July 10, 1943, Boelsen was appointed commander of the 111th Panzer Grenadier Regiment, as part of the 11th Panzer Division, with effect from May 15, 1943. With this division, his regiment took part in the heavy defensive battles following the withdrawal of the 4th Panzer Army west of Belgorod in the Trostyanets area. There, on August 17, 1943, the enemy succeeded in making a deep breakthrough into their northern neighbor with three mechanized Guards brigades, a Guards tank brigade, a tank regiment and three rifle divisions. On August 18, 1943, this break-in extended further to the west and also overran the withdrawn lines of the division where the break-in took place. This threatened the open left flank of the 11th Panzer Division. On this left wing the regiment was under the command of Boelsen, who at this time was leading a relief attack to the east. This attack was already carried out with expendable entourage. Aware of the threatening situation on the division's left wing, he withdraws some of these troops and leads them into the Nikitowka-Belka area, where he gathers scattered units from the neighboring division. Due to the loss of many officers, Boelsen personally placed himself at the head of this combat group and led it against the enemy, which he repelled first at Grusskoje, then at Novoselovka, at Skrebowka and at Baivor in dashing, dynamic counterattacks, with bloody losses. In this way, Boelsen gradually builds up a northern front several kilometers wide from east to west, weakens the enemy's attack force and stops the thrust into the rear of the 11th Panzer Division. For this he was nominated for the Knight's Cross by the leader of the 11th Panzer Division, Wend von Wietersheim. Also the commanding general of XXXXVIII. Panzer-Korps, General of the Panzertruppe von Knobelsdorff, warmly supported this proposal after Boelsen had already been unsuccessfully proposed for the Knight's Cross on July 20, 1943 (instead of the Knight's Cross, Boelsen received the honorary clasp for an act on July 11th and 12th, 1943 near Kochetowka).

The commander in chief of the 4th Panzer Army, Colonel General Hoth, supported the proposal, as did the commander in chief of Army Group South, Field Marshal von Manstein, and the head of the Army Personnel Office, Lieutenant General Schmundt. Boelsen then received the Knight's Cross on September 17, 1943 as colonel and commander of the 111 Panzer Grenadier Regiment.

Transferred to the Führer reserve on November 7th, 1943, he took part from November 16th in the 8th Divisional Leader Short Course in Döberitz until December 21, 1943. Boelsen will move from the leadership reserve of Military District XI from March 5th. until March 20, 1944 in the OKH in the area of Army Group C and was commissioned with the deputy leadership of the 26th Panzer Division on March 30, 1944, with effect from March 1, 1944. In contrast, he led from March 5th. until March 20, 1944, initially the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division and then from April 11th. The 26th Panzer Division until May 7, 1944.

On May 14, 1944, he was assigned deputy leadership of the 114th Jäger Division. On July 19, 1944, he took over leadership of the 26th Panzer Division again, although on August 2, 1944, he asked for eight days of vacation due to repeated bomb damage. Leader of the division until August 26, 1944, he took command of the 18th Panzer Grenadier Division on September 10, 1944 and was transferred again to the leader reserve with effect from February 4, 1945, where he took over leadership of the division in March 1945 Coastal defense section Friesland, the former division zbV. 172, takes over. As the leader of this command, he was taken prisoner on March 29, 1945, from which he was released on June 30, 1947.

Dr. Dr. Hans Boelsen died on October 24, 1960 in Frankfurt/Main.

SA-Hauptscharführer Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen as adjutant of SA-Standarte 25. From 1 February 1934 till 28 February 1934 he took part in course of the SA-Führerschule/Gruppe Hessen. The picture was taken from the file at Bundesarchiv-Invenio > PERS 6/1112.

Major Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen in his office. The picture was taken in 1938 when Boelsen served as a Kompaniechef in Infanterie-Regiment 115 / 33.Infanterie-Division.

Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen as an Oberst after receiving the Ritterkreuz.

Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen as Generalmajor.

Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen as Generalmajor.

Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen as Generalmajor.

Generalleutnant Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen (Kommandeur Division z.b.V. 172) and an American MP (Military Police) officer after captured. Boelsen was taken prisoner at Emsland, Niedersachsen, on 29 March 1945, from which he was released on 30 June 1947. Division z.b.V. 172 itself was established on 23 November 1944 by renaming Division Nr. 172 and relocated to the West Wall near Zweibrücken. Since the division had no combat value, it was ordered to retreat east before it came into contact with the enemy. The Bamberg-Bayreuth-Erlangen area was assigned as the new accommodation area with division headquarters in Waischenfeld. The division was moved to the new space at the end of March / beginning of April 1945. From here, as soon as training had begun, the division marched into the area north and west of Landshut. The division was disbanded there on 30 April 1945 after the capture of Divisionskommandeur Boelsen. The subordinate units were taken over by the 36. and 347. Infanterie-Divisions. The division staff was transferred to the field army and became the division staff z.b.V. 617 (Command Coastal Defense Section Friesland). Other pictures from this sequence can be seen HERE.

A "Fragebogen" (Questionnaire) of Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen.

Signature of Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen.

The grave of Hans Boelsen at Hauptfriedhof Frankfurt.

Source :
"Panzertruppen: Les troupes blindées allemandes - German armored troops 1935-1945" by John Lee
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frankfurt,_Hauptfriedhof,_Grab_Hans_Boelsen.JPG
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2494943#p2494943
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/hans-poehlsen-german-general-hans-poehlsen-commander-of-the-news-photo/615312214
https://www.leo-bw.de/web/guest/detail/-/Detail/details/DOKUMENT/labw_findmittel_06/labw-1-325770/Boelsen%20Hans
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/B/BoelsenH.htm
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D1%91%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BD,_%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81
http://sylviolassance.blogspot.com/2013/06/boelsen-hans-0603189424101960.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/2385/Boelsen-Drjur-Drrerpol-Hans.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20091027112917fw_/http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/WEHRMACHT/HEER/Generalleutnant/BOELSEN_HANS.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20110105222811fw_/http://ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/B/Bo/Boelsen-Hans.htm

Bio of Generalleutnant Dr.rer.pol. Hermann Hohn (1897-1968)

Full name: Hermann Hyronimus Theodor Hohn
Nickname: No information

Date of Birth: 11.10.1897 - Renchen, Baden (German Empire)
Date of Death: 13.11.1968 - Ladenburg, Baden-Württemberg (West Germany)

Battles and Operations: World War I (Western Front); Western Campaign 1940; Balkan Campaign 1941; Eastern Front (Crimea, Sevastopol, Rzhev area, Operation Citadel, Dnieper-Carpathian Offensive, Cherkassy Pocket breakout, Baranov bridgehead defensive battles)

NSDAP-Number: unknown
SS-Number: not applicable
Religion: unknown
Parents: unknown
Siblings: unknown
Spouse: Lydia Hohn (died 1996)
Children: unknown
Doctorate in Political Science: 00.10.1931

Promotions:
24.08.1916 Gefreiter
21.12.1916 Unteroffizier
30.07.1917 Fähnrich
20.10.1917 Leutnant
01.09.1935 Hauptmann
01.08.1938 Major
01.08.1941 Oberstleutnant
01.02.1943 Oberst
01.03.1944 Generalmajor
30.01.1945 Generalleutnant

Career:
15.01.1915 Entered Army Service
15.01.1915 - 08.03.1915 War Volunteer in the III.Recruitment-Depot / 10.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
08.03.1915 - 15.04.1915 4.Batterie / Reserve-Abteilung / 10.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
15.04.1915 - 01.05.1916 Transferred to the Survey-Office of 3rd Line-Battery of the 110th Foot-Artillery-Regiment, then Artillery-Survey-Troop 23
01.05.1916 - 24.08.1916 4.Batterie / Reserve-Abteilung / 10.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
24.08.1916 - 14.10.1916 Stab 66. Fuß-Artillerie-Abteilung
14.10.1916 - 21.06.1917 2.Batterie / 70.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
11.04.1917 - 07.06.1917 Detached to Fahnenjunker-Course in Jüterbog
21.06.1917 - 21.08.1917 Reserveabteilung / 16.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
21.08.1917 - 19.11.1917 3.Batterie / 32.Fuß-Artillerie-Abteilung
19.11.1917 - 25.05.1918 Stab 32. Fuß-Artillerie-Abteilung
20.11.1917 - 05.12.1917 Detached to Communications-Medium-School Prezany
25.05.1918 - 22.07.1918 Adjutant 32. Fuß-Artillerie-Abteilung
22.07.1918 - 11.08.1918 Detached to Group-Photographic-School Loos
11.08.1918 - 18.12.1918 Transferred to 2nd Battery of the 32nd Foot-Artillery-Battalion
12.08.1918 - 15.09.1918 Detached to Course at the Army-Artillery-School Maubeuge
18.12.1918 - 10.01.1919 Reserve-Abteilung / 17.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
10.01.1919 - 04.04.1919 Stabsoffizier & Batterieführer di I.Battalion / 17.Fuß-Artillerie-Regiment
04.04.1919 - 31.07.1919 Transferred to the Volunteer Foot-Artillery-Battalion Dieskau
31.07.1919 - 17.01.1920 Ordinance-Officer with the Staff of the 6th Heavy Reichswehr-Artillery-Regiment
17.01.1920 - 15.05.1920 Ordinance-Officer with the Staff of the 8th Reichswehr-Brigade
15.05.1920 - 31.12.1920 While retaining Post with 8th Reichswehr-Brigade, transferred into the 8th Light Reichswehr-Artillery-Regiment
00.06.1920 Command with 8th Reichswehr-Brigade Lifted
31.12.1920 Retired from the military
01.04.1922 - 13.08.1923 Studies of Political Economics at the University of Heidelberg
00.00.1923 - 00.00.1929 Employed with the Bank, Finance Office & in turn Accountancy work
04.11.1929 - 00.10.1931 Studies at the Marketing High School Mannheim
00.10.1931 - 00.02.1933 Examination as a Diploma Marketing Instructor
00.02.1933 Attained Doctorate
01.09.1935 Entered Army Service
01.09.1935 - 15.10.1935 Assigned with the Training-Battalion of Infantry-Regiment Regensburg
15.10.1935 - 06.10.1936 Chef 3.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 62
06.10.1936 - 12.10.1937 Kompaniechef di Infanterie-Regiment 82
12.10.1937 - 01.07.1939 Chef 3.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 74
01.07.1939 - 16.09.1939 Transferred to the General-Staff of the General-Command of Border-Troop Eifel
16.09.1939 - 31.10.1939 With the General-Staff of the General-Command of XXIII. Army-Corps
01.11.1939 - 08.12.1940 Adjutant 72. Infanterie-Division
09.12.1940 - 29.08.1941 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 105
30.08.1941 - 12.05.1942 Grenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon 105
13.05.1942 - 30.06.1942 Führerreserve 72. Infanterie-Division
01.07.1942 - 15.09.1942 Führer Grenadier-Regiment 124
16.09.1942 - 04.11.1943 Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 105
05.11.1943 - 25.03.1944 mit der Führung beauftragt 72. Infanterie-Division
01.03.1944 - 25.03.1944 Kommandeur 72. Infanterie-Division
15.03.1944 - 20.04.1944 Detached to 10th Division-Leaders-Course
26.03.1944 - 25.05.1944 Führerreserve Oberkommando des Heeres
26.05.1944 - 30.06.1944 Designated Kommandeur 50. Infanterie-Division but Command did not become effective
01.07.1944 - 20.04.1945 Kommandeur 72. Infanterie-Division
20.04.1945 - 09.05.1945 mit der Führung beauftragt XI. Armeekorps
09.05.1945 - 23.02.1948 In Captivity
23.02.1948 Released

Awards and Decorations:
31.10.1917 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
09.02.1918 Schlesisches Bewährungsabzeichen I.Klasse
00.03.1919 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.19__ Orden vom Zähringer Löwen, Ritter II.Klasse mit Schwertern
00.00.19__ Schlesischer Adler II.Stufe
00.00.19__ Schlesischer Adler I.Stufe
00.01.1935 Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914-1918
00.00.193_ Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV.Klasse
26.06.1940 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
23.07.1941 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.194_ Ordinul Mihai Viteazul (Order of Michael the Brave, Romania)
00.00.194_ Orden Sveti Alexandar (Royal Order of St. Alexander, Officer Cross with Swords, Bulgaria)
00.00.194_ Ordinul Coroana Romaniei (Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander Cross)
00.00.194_ Medalia Cruciada împotriva comunismului (Crusade Against Communism Medal, Romania)
00.00.194_ Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
10.03.1942 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
23.08.1942 Krimschild
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
00.09.1942 Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
14.12.1942 Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS #1393
17.04.1943 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
28.11.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #2375, as Oberst and stellvertretender Führer 72. Infanterie-Division. By 14 November his battered division had become the primary defenders of Cherkassy, a vital cornerstone anchoring the German Dnieper River line. The city faced constant pressure from far superior Soviet forces seeking to collapse the front through bridgehead expansions.
On 15 November 1943, when the Soviets established a dangerous bridgehead around Swidowok threatening to roll up the German flank, Hohn launched a daring counterattack. He committed his forces in a risky flank assault that drove all the way into Swidowok itself, deliberately thinning his own main line to strike hard at the enemy’s spearhead. The gamble succeeded: the Soviet thrust was halted before it could slice into the German rear, buying precious time for the defense of Cherkassy.
A week later, on 22 November, the Red Army unleashed a massive combined-arms assault southeast of the city. Seven regiments supported by armor and heavy artillery smashed a broad gap through the German front, poured into the rear areas, and began advancing eastward. At the same moment, coordinated attacks east of Cherkassy itself created the real danger of the city being completely cut off. Acting on his own initiative without waiting for higher approval, Hohn ordered a Kampfgruppe to swing south and slam into the exposed flank and rear of the penetrating Soviet columns. The sudden German thrust shattered the developing encirclement ring southeast of Cherkassy and trapped large enemy forces in the open. Hohn’s troops then methodically destroyed the encircled Soviet units in close-quarters fighting. These actions stabilized the entire sector and prevented a collapse of the Dnieper line. The Wehrmachtbericht of 6 December 1943 explicitly praised the 72. Infanterie-Division under Oberst Hohn for its “exemplary fighting spirit” in battles that swayed back and forth. For this sequence of independent, high-risk decisions and successful counterblows, Hohn received the Ritterkreuz.
06.12.1943 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
01.03.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #410, as Oberst and Führer 72. Infanterie-Division. By February 1944 the division was trapped inside the Korsun-Cherkassy Pocket (also known as the Cherkassy Kessel) west of the city as part of General der Artillerie Wilhelm Stemmermann’s encircled Kampfgruppe. The pocket had become a frozen, muddy hell of constant Soviet assaults, dwindling ammunition, and bitter cold. Hohn was repeatedly described in contemporary accounts as “the soul of the resistance.”
Throughout weeks of savage fighting in the churned-up, waterlogged terrain west of Cherkassy, Hohn personally reorganized shattered defensive lines on his own initiative whenever Soviet penetrations threatened to split the pocket. He built new fronts from whatever troops and weapons remained, launched furious counterattacks to seal gaps, and refused to allow the enemy the decisive breakthrough that would have doomed the entire encircled force. When the order for the pocket breakout finally came in mid-February, Hohn placed himself and his Grenadiers at the very spearhead. Leading from the front, he drove his men through the Soviet ring in hand-to-hand combat, smashing open a corridor that allowed thousands of German soldiers to escape annihilation. His own outstanding bravery and tireless energy inspired the exhausted troops to keep attacking despite the mud that sucked at their boots and the relentless Soviet fire.
A newspaper article published on 8 March 1944 captured the citation in full: “During the fierce combat west of Cherkassy in February 1944 the 72. Infanterie-Division belonged to the Kampfgruppe of General der Artillerie Stemmermann. Oberst Hohn was the soul of the resistance of his Division on this occasion also. He repeatedly reorganized the defenses, built up new defensive fronts on his own initiative and prevented the enemy’s sought-after breakthrough through the encircled Kampfgruppe via furious countermoves of his own. He and his men formed the vanguard during the smashing of the Soviet encirclement ring. Despite the weeks of heavy fighting in the muddied-up terrain he was able to draw on his own outstanding bravery and tireless energy to inspire his Grenadiers to give their best and force the breakthrough of the enemy lines.” These actions in the pocket earned him the Eichenlaub.
19.08.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
31.10.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #109, as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 72. Infanterie Division. After the division was rebuilt following its near-destruction in the pocket, Hohn led it through the summer and autumn defensive battles along the Vistula River in Poland. The critical sector was the Soviet Baranow (Baranov) bridgehead near Sandomierz-Opatow-Ostrowice, where the Red Army had forced a major crossing and threatened to rupture the entire German front in the great bend of the Vistula.
In relentless fighting from July through October 1944, Hohn’s Hessian-Moselle troops faced repeated Soviet attempts to expand the bridgehead with massed infantry, armor, and artillery. Under his personal command the division displayed “unshakeable courage and bold recklessness,” as noted in the Wehrmachtbericht of 19 August 1944. Hohn repeatedly demonstrated outstanding leadership by shifting reserves at the decisive moment, launching immediate counterattacks to throw back penetrations, and maintaining divisional cohesion despite heavy losses and constant pressure. His personal bravery under fire and calm direction in the face of overwhelming odds prevented the bridgehead from becoming the springboard for a larger Soviet breakthrough toward the west.
The Schwerter were awarded specifically for this sustained defensive mastery and the division’s exemplary performance in the Sandomierz-Opatow-Ostrowice sector. The citation highlighted Hohn’s ability to inspire his men to hold ground against superior forces in what had become one of the most dangerous sectors on the entire Eastern Front in late 1944.

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Hermann Hohn was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who rose to command the 72nd Infantry Division and briefly a corps in the final weeks of the conflict. Born on 11 October 1897 in Renchen in the Grand Duchy of Baden he volunteered for service in the Imperial German Army at the age of seventeen and fought with foot artillery units on the Western Front throughout the First World War. He earned both classes of the Iron Cross along with the Knight's Cross Second Class of the Order of the Zähringer Lion with Swords before leaving active duty in December 1920. In civilian life he studied political science and economics at Heidelberg University and the Handelshochschule Mannheim worked as a bank employee and completed a doctorate in political science in 1933 with a dissertation on inner colonization east of the Elbe. Reactivated in 1935 as a reserve captain he returned to the army and by the outbreak of the Second World War had advanced steadily through staff and command positions ultimately becoming one of the few Wehrmacht generals to hold a civilian doctorate while leading troops in some of the war's most desperate defensive battles on the Eastern Front.

Hohn's interwar years were marked by a successful transition from military to academic and professional life before the demands of rearmament pulled him back into uniform. After demobilization he immersed himself in studies at Heidelberg where he joined the AMV Stauffia Heidelberg fraternity and later took a position in banking from 1923 to 1929. His doctoral work reflected the era's interest in agrarian and settlement policies and he maintained a low profile during the early years of the Nazi regime. By September 1935 he was recalled as a Hauptmann der Reserve and assigned to infantry regiments in southern Germany. He served as operations officer with border troops in the Eifel region in 1939 and became adjutant of the newly formed 72nd Infantry Division a Hessian and Moselle formation in November of that year. The division saw action in the 1940 Western Campaign and the 1941 Balkan Campaign before transferring to the Eastern Front where Hohn's leadership qualities began to draw notice.

By late 1942 Hohn had taken command of Grenadier Regiment 105 after temporary leadership of another regiment and he was promoted to colonel in January 1943. His division was heavily engaged in the fighting withdrawal toward the Dnieper River and by November 1943 he was acting as deputy commander and then full leader of the 72nd Infantry Division. The unit anchored the German line at Cherkassy a critical point on the river that Soviet forces sought to overwhelm with superior numbers and combined arms assaults. On 15 November 1943 when the Red Army established a threatening bridgehead at Swidowok Hohn responded with a high risk flank counterattack that drove deep into the enemy position deliberately weakening his own main line to strike the Soviet spearhead. The gamble paid off as the assault halted the penetration and bought time for the defense of the city. A week later on 22 November when seven Soviet regiments supported by armor smashed a gap southeast of Cherkassy threatening to encircle the entire German force Hohn acted on his own initiative ordering a Kampfgruppe to swing south and slam into the exposed enemy flank and rear. His troops shattered the developing ring and methodically destroyed the trapped Soviet units in close quarters combat stabilizing the sector and preventing a collapse of the Dnieper line. For these independent decisions and successful counterblows he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 28 November 1943 with the Wehrmachtbericht praising the division's exemplary fighting spirit.

The winter of 1943 to 1944 brought even greater trials when the 72nd Infantry Division was trapped inside the Korsun-Cherkassy Pocket west of the city as part of a larger encircled Kampfgruppe. Operating in frozen muddy terrain under constant Soviet pressure with dwindling supplies Hohn now formally in command of the division became known as the soul of the resistance. He repeatedly reorganized shattered defensive lines on his own initiative whenever enemy penetrations threatened to split the pocket building new fronts from whatever troops and weapons remained and launching furious counterattacks to seal gaps. His personal presence at the point of crisis and tireless energy prevented the decisive breakthrough that would have doomed the entire force. When the breakout order finally arrived in mid February 1944 Hohn placed himself and his grenadiers at the very spearhead leading them through the Soviet ring in hand to hand combat. Despite weeks of heavy fighting in the mud that sucked at their boots and relentless enemy fire his outstanding bravery inspired the exhausted troops to smash open a corridor allowing thousands of German soldiers to escape annihilation. These actions in the pocket earned him the Oak Leaves on 1 March 1944.

After the division was rebuilt following its near destruction in the Cherkassy Pocket Hohn now promoted to general major continued to lead it through the summer and autumn defensive battles along the Vistula River in Poland. The most critical sector was the Soviet Baranov bridgehead near Sandomierz Opatow and Ostrowice where the Red Army had forced a major crossing and threatened to rupture the entire German front. From July through October 1944 Hohn's Hessian and Moselle troops faced repeated massed infantry armor and artillery assaults aimed at expanding the bridgehead. Under his personal command the division displayed unshakeable courage shifting reserves at the decisive moment launching immediate counterattacks to throw back penetrations and maintaining cohesion despite heavy losses and constant pressure. His calm direction in the face of overwhelming odds prevented the bridgehead from becoming the springboard for a larger Soviet breakthrough toward the west. The Wehrmachtbericht of 19 August 1944 noted the division's exemplary performance and for this sustained defensive mastery Hohn was awarded the Swords on 31 October 1944 becoming the 109th recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

In the final weeks of the war Hohn briefly commanded a corps until the German capitulation in May 1945. He was taken into Allied captivity on 9 May and released in February 1948 after which he returned to civilian life in the small town of Ladenburg in Baden Württemberg. There he pursued a successful post war career in local politics serving as mayor from 1953 to 1965 as an independent candidate of the Free Voters association focusing on reconstruction and community affairs rather than returning to any military role. Married to Lydia Hohn who died in 1996 he lived quietly until his death on 13 November 1968 in Ladenburg at the age of seventy one. Hohn remains notable not only for his battlefield achievements in some of the Eastern Front's most desperate engagements but also as one of the few senior Wehrmacht officers who had earned a doctorate in political science through civilian studies during the Weimar years before resuming his military career.

Hermann Hohn in 1935.

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2010/08/generalleutnant-drrerpol-hermann-hohn.html
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Hohn,_Hermann
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=248258&hilit=hermann+hohn
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/H/HohnH-R.htm
https://www.oocities.org/~orion47/WEHRMACHT/HEER/Generalleutnant/HOHN_HERMANN.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/6830/Hohn-Drrerpol-Hermann.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20110105224610/http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/H/Hohn-Hermann.htm