Friedrich Materna (21 June 1885 - 11 November 1946) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 August 1940 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 45. Infanterie-Division. The following wartime excerpt (dated 30 August 1940) describes why Materna received the Ritterkreuz: "On 9 June 1940 Generalleutnant Materna led the major attack across the Aisne, Aisne Canal and Suippe rivers in the face of a tough and well-dug in enemy force. In this time he repeatedly led his armoured group forwards despite the intense enemy activity, and by doing so he enabled the Regiments of his Division to achieve a deep penetration into the enemy defenses by nightfall. Since communications to the forward units broke down during the course of the day, Generalleutnant Materna personally entered the foremost combat zone at the Aisne and directed the combat from there. The determined leadership and bold willpower of the divisional commander were crucial factors that brought about such important success on this first day of battle as well as in the two subsequent days.”
Source :
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Materna,_Friedrich
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/11725/Materna-Friedrich.htm
