List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1942)

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The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military of the Third Reich during World War II. This military decoration was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) was introduced on 3 June 1940 to further distinguish those who had already received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and who continued to show merit in combat bravery or military success. A total of 7 awards were made in 1940; 50 in 1941; 111 in 1942; 192 in 1943; 328 in 1944, and 194 in 1945, giving a total of 882 recipients—excluding the 8 foreign recipients of the award.

The number of 882 Oak Leaves recipients is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[1] However, author and historian Veit Scherzer has challenged the validity of 27 of these listings.[2] With the exception of Hermann Fegelein, all of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of the Third Reich during the final days of World War II left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process. Hermann Fegelein received the Oak Leaves in 1942, but was sentenced to death by Adolf Hitler and executed by SS-Gruppenführer Johann Rattenhuber's Reichssicherheitsdienst (RSD) on 28 April 1945 after a court-martial led by SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke. The sentence was carried out the same day. The death sentence, according to German law, resulted in the loss of all orders and honorary signs.[3]

Background

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[4] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[5] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[6] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[7]

Recipients of 1942

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Year   Number of presentations Posthumous presentations
1940
7
0
1941
50
3
1942
111
7
1943
192
17
1944
328
46
1945
194
19

The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW—Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists, one for each of the three military branches, Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air force) and for the Waffen-SS. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.[8] The sequential numbers greater than 143 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and are therefore denoted in parentheses.[9] The recipients are ordered chronologically and numbered by the official sequential number assigned by the OKW. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves was awarded.

      This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
      This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves was awarded posthumously.
      This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that historian Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity or formal correctness of the listing.

Number Name Service Rank Role and unit[Note 1] Date of award Notes Image
58 Oskar von Boddien Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[10] Commander of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22[10][11] 8 January 1942*[10] Killed in action 6 January 1942[11]
59 Hans Jordan+ Heer 17-HOberst[12] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 49[11][12] 16 January 1942[12] Awarded 64th Swords 20 April 1944[12]
60 Karl-Wilhelm Specht Heer 17-HOberst[13] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 55[11][13] 16 January 1942[13]
61 Hans Freiherr von Wolff Heer 14-HHauptmann[14] Commander of the I./Schützen-Regiment 28[11][14] 16 January 1942[14] At the same time promoted to Major[11]
62 Hans-Valentin Hube+ Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[15] Commander of 16. Panzer-Division[11][15] 16 January 1942[15] Awarded 22nd Swords 21 December 1942
13th Diamonds 20 April 1944[15]
63 Karl-Heinz Noak Heer 13-HOberleutnant[16] Commander of the 1./Panzer-Jagd-Abteilung 137[11][16] 16 January 1942[16]
64 Joachim Helbig+ Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[17] Gruppenkommandeur of the I.(Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1[11][17] 16 January 1942[17] Awarded 20th Swords 28 September 1942[17]
65 Otto Hitzfeld+ Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[18] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 213[11][18] 17 January 1942[18] Awarded (158th) Swords 9 May 1945?[19][Note 2] The head and shoulders of a man. He wears a peaked cap and a military uniform and an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar. His facial expression is determined; his eyes are looking into the camera.
66 Wilhelm Wegener+ Heer 17-HOberst[21] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 94[11][21] 19 January 1942[21] Awarded 97th Swords 17 September 1944[21]
67 Hans Traut Heer 17-HOberst[22] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 41 (motorized) and leader of 10. Infanterie-Division (motorized)[22][23] 23 January 1942[22]
68 Werner-Albrecht von und zu Gilsa Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[24] Commander of 216. Infanterie-Division[23][24] 24 January 1942[24]
69 Hermann Breith+ Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[25] Commander of 3. Panzer-Division[23][25] 31 January 1942[25] Awarded 48th Swords 21 February 1944[26] The head and shoulders of a man. He wears a peaked cap and military uniform, and an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar. His facial expression is a determined; his eyes are looking into the camera.
70 Rolf Kaldrack Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[27] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Schnellkampfgeschwader 210[23][27] 9 February 1942*[27] Killed in action 3 February 1942[23]
71 Heinrich Borgmann Heer 14-HHauptmann[26] Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 46[23][26] 11 February 1942[26] Killed in action 6 April 1945[23]
72 Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist+ Heer 21-HGeneraloberst[28] Commander-in-chief of Panzergruppe 1[23][28] 17 February 1942[28] Awarded 60th Swords 30 March 1944[28] The head and shoulders of a man sitting, shown in semi profile. He wears a beaked cap and a military uniform, and an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar. His left hand is gloved and he is holding the hilt of a saber in both hands. His facial expression is a determined; his head is pointed to the right of the camera.
73 Georg-Hans Reinhardt+ Heer 20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[29] Commander-in-chief of Panzergruppe 3[23][29] 17 February 1942[29] Awarded 68th Swords 26 May 1944[29] The head and torso of a man wearing a military uniform and greatcoat; an Iron Cross is displayed at the front of his uniform collar.
74 Walter Model+ Heer 20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[30] Commanding general of the XXXXI. Panzerkorps[23][30] 17 February 1942[30] Awarded 28th Swords 2 April 1943
17th Diamonds 17 August 1944[30]
75 Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[31] Commander of 4. Panzer-Division[23][31] 17 February 1942[31]
The head and shoulders of an elderly man, shown in semi-profile. He wears a peaked cap and a military uniform with an Eagle above his right and various military decorations above and on his left breast pocket, and an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his shirt collar. His facial expression is a determined; his eyes are looking into the distance to the left of the camera.
76 Walter Wessel Heer 17-HOberst[32] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 15 (motorized)[23][32] 17 February 1942[32] at the same time promoted to Generalmajor[23]
77 Walter Hagen Luftwaffe 16-LOberstleutnant[33] Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[23][33] 17 February 1942[33]
78 Albert Kesselring+ Luftwaffe 22-LGeneralfeldmarschall[34] Chief of Luftflotte 2 and OB Süd[23][34] 25 February 1942[34] Awarded 15th Swords 18 July 1942
14th Diamonds 19 July 1944[34]
Head-and-shoulders portrait of a uniformed Nazi German air force general in his 50s wearing an Iron Cross.
79 Gerhard Köppen Luftwaffe 09-LFeldwebel[35] Pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[23][35] 27 February 1942[35]
80 Kurt Ubben Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[36] Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 77[36][37] 12 March 1942[36]
81 Max-Hellmuth Ostermann+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[38] Staffelkapitän of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 54[37][38] 12 March 1942[38] Awarded 10th Swords 17 May 1942[38]
82 Franz Eckerle Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[39] Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[37][39] 12 March 1942*[39] Killed in action 14 February 1942[37]
83 Wolf-Dietrich Huy Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[40] Staffelkapitän of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 77[37][40] 17 March 1942[40]
84 Hans Strelow Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[41] Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[37][41] 24 March 1942[41]
85 Wilhelm Spies Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[42] Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel"[37][42] 5 April 1942*[42] Killed in action 27 January 1942[37]
86 Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller+ Heer 17-HOberst[43] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 105[37][43] 8 April 1942[43] Awarded 128th Swords 27 January 1945[43]
87 Erich Topp+ Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[44] Commander of U-552[37][44] 11 April 1942[44] Awarded 17th Swords 17 August 1942[44] Topp is seen on board, wearing his greatcoat. He is smiling broadly.
88 Theodor Eicke Waffen-SS 20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS[45] Commander of SS-Division "Totenkopf"[37][45] 20 April 1942[45]
A black-and-white photograph of a man in semi profile wearing a military uniform and neck order, in shape of an Iron Cross. His dark hair is combed to the back. He has determined facial expression.
89 Reinhard Hardegen Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[46] Commander of U-123[37][46] 23 April 1942[46]
90 Wolfgang Späte Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant of the Reserves[47] Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54[37][47] 23 April 1942[47]
91 Alfred Wünnenberg Waffen-SS 18-WSS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Police[48] Commander of SS-Polizei-Division[37][48] 23 April 1942[48]
A black-and-white photograph of a man wearing a military uniform and a neck order in shape of an Iron Cross.
92 Theodor Scherer Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[49] Commander of 281. Sicherungs-Division and defender of Cholm[37][49] 5 May 1942[49]
A black-and-white photograph of a man wearing a military uniform and a neck order in shape of an Iron Cross. He is wearing glasses and is looking up into the sky.
93 Hermann Graf+ Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant of the Reserves[50] Staffelführer of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[37][50] 17 May 1942[50] Awarded 11th Swords 19 May 1942
5th Diamonds 16 September 1942[50]
94 Adolf Dickfeld Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant of the Reserves[51] Pilot in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 52[37][51] 19 May 1942[Note 3]
95 Eberhard von Mackensen Heer 20-HGeneral der Kavallerie[52] Commanding general of the III. Panzerkorps[37][52] 26 May 1942[52]
96 Leopold Steinbatz+ Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[53] Pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[37][53] 2 June 1942[53] Awarded 14th Swords 23 June 1942[53]
97 Hans-Joachim Marseille+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[54] Pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 27[54][55] 6 June 1942[54] Awarded 12th Swords 18 June 1942
4th Diamonds 3 September 1942[54]
The head and shoulders of a young man, shown in semi-profile. He wears a military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his shirt collar. His hair appears blond and short and combed back, his nose is long and straight, and his facial expression is determined but smiling; looking to the left of the camera.
98 Helmut Lent+ Luftwaffe 15-LMajor[56] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2[55][56] 6 June 1942[56] Awarded 32nd Swords 2 August 1943
15th Diamonds 31 July 1944[56]
Black-and-white photograph showing the face and upper body of a young man in uniform, his hands behind his back. His hair appears blond and combed to the back. The front right of his jacket bear eagle-and-swastika emblems; the front left of his jacket and the front of his shirt collar bear Iron Cross decorations, black with light outline. He is looking at the camera, his facial expression is secluded.
99 Robert-Georg Freiherr von Malapert Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[57] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[55][57] 8 June 1942*[57] Killed in action 21 May 1942[58]
100 Ludwig Wolff Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[14] Commander of 22. Infanterie-Division (Luftlande)[14][55] 22 June 1942[14]
A black-and-white photograph of a man in semi profile wearing a military uniform and a neck order in shape of an Iron Cross. His hair appears blond and is combed back.
101 Friedrich Geißhardt Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[59] Pilot and adjutant in the Stab of the I./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][Note 4] 23 June 1942[59]
102 Heinrich Setz Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[60] Staffelkapitän of the 4./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][60] 23 June 1942[60]
103 Walter von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt Heer 20-HGeneral der Infanterie[61] Commanding general of the II. Armeekorps[55][61] 27 June 1942[61]
104 Rolf Mützelburg Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[62] Commander of U-203[55][62] 15 July 1942[62]
105 Adalbert Schnee Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[63] Commander of U-201[55][63] 15 July 1942[63]
106 Erwin Clausen Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[64] Staffelkapitän of the 6./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][64] 23 July 1942[64]
107 Viktor Bauer Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[65] Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[55][65] 26 July 1942[65]
108 Franz-Josef Beerenbrock Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[66] Pilot in the 10./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[55][66] 3 August 1942[66]
109 Anton Hackl+ Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[67] Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][67] 9 August 1942[67][Note 5] Awarded 78th Swords 9 July 1944[Note 6]
110 Traugott Herr+ Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[69] Commander of 13. Panzer-Division[55][69] 9 August 1942[69] Awarded 117th Swords 18 December 1944[69]
111 Werner Kempf Heer 20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[70] Commanding general of the XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps[55][70] 10 August 1942[70]
112 Gerhard Kollewe Luftwaffe 15-LMajor[71] Gruppenkommandeur of the II.(Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1[55][71] 16 August 1942[71]
113 Walter Gorn+ Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[72] Commander of Kradschützen-Bataillon 59[72][73] 17 August 1942[72] Awarded 30th Swords 8 June 1943[72]
114 Kurt Brändle Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[74] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[73][74] 27 August 1942[74]
115 Johannes Steinhoff+ Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[75] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 52[73][75] 2 September 1942[75] Awarded 82nd Swords 28 July 1944[75] The head and shoulders of a man, shown in semi-profile. He wears a peaked cap and a military uniform with military decorations. His face is scared and his eyes are hidden behind glasses.
116 Walter Sigel Luftwaffe 16-LOberstleutnant[76] Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[73][76] 2 September 1942[76]
117 Johann Zemsky Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[77] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[73][77] 3 September 1942*[77] Killed in action 28 August 1942[78]
118 Alfred Druschel+ Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[Note 7] Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 1[73][79] 3 September 1942[79] Awarded 24th Swords 19 February 1943[79]
119 Dr. Ing. Ernst Bormann Luftwaffe 17-LOberst[26] Commander of Gefechtsverband Bormann augmenting Kampfgeschwader 76[26][73] 3 September 1942[26]
120 Gerhard Hein Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[80] Leader of the 5./Infanterie-Regiment 209[80][81] 6 September 1942[80]
121 Werner Ziegler+ Heer 13-HOberleutnant[82] Leader of the 2./Infanterie-Regiment 186[73][82] 8 September 1942[82] Awarded 102nd Swords 23 October 1944[82]
122 Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke+ Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[83] Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[73][83] 9 September 1942[83] Awarded 23rd Swords 23 December 1942[83]
123 Klaus Scholtz Kriegsmarine 15-MKorvettenkapitän[84] Commander of U-108[73][84] 10 September 1942[84]
124 Heinz Schmidt Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[85] Pilot in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 52[73][85] 16 September 1942[Note 8]
125 Heinrich Bleichrodt Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[86] Commander of U-109[73][86] 23 September 1942[86]
126 Friedrich-Karl Müller Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[43] Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 53[Note 9] 23 September 1942[43]
127 Wilhelm Crinius Luftwaffe 10-LFeldwebel[88] Pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 53[73][88] 23 September 1942[88]
128 Wolfgang Tonne Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[44] Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 53[44][73] 24 September 1942[44]
129 Bruno Ritter von Hauenschild Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[89] Commander of 24. Panzer-Division[73][89] 27 September 1942[89]
130 Hans Beißwenger Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant of the Reserves[Note 10] Pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54[90][91] 3 October 1942[90]
131 Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert+ Luftwaffe 09-LFeldwebel[29] Pilot in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 77[29][91] 7 October 1942[Note 11] Awarded 130th Swords 1 February 1945[29]
132 Karl Torley Heer 14-HHauptmann[44] Commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 60 (motorized)[44][91] 11 October 1942[44]
133 Johannes Kümmel Heer 14-HHauptmann[92] Commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 8[91][92] 11 October 1942[92]
134 Günther Rall+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[93] Staffelkapitän of the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[93][94] 26 October 1942[93] Awarded 34th Swords 12 September 1943[93] The head of a young man, shown in semi-profile. He wears a military uniform with a military decoration in shape of an iron cross displayed at the front of his shirt collar. His hair is dark and short and combed to back, his nose is long and straight, he is smiling broadly and looking to the left of the camera.
135 Ludwig Kirschner Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[95] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 72[91][95] 28 October 1942[95]
136 Konrad Hupfer Heer 14-HHauptmann[96] Commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 72[91][96] 28 October 1942[96]
137 Max Stotz Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[95] Pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54[91][95] 30 October 1942[95]
138 Heinrich Schweickhardt Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[97] Staffelkapitän of the 8./Kampfgeschwader 76[Note 12] 30 October 1942[97]
139 Wolfgang Schenck Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[98] Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Zerstörergeschwader 1[91][98] 30 October 1942[98]
The head of a young man, shown in semi-profile. He wears a military uniform with an eagle above his right breast pocket, an iron cross is displayed at the front of his shirt collar. His hair is dark, short and combed to the back, his nose is long and straight, and his facial expression is determined; looking to the right of the camera.
140 Hermann Seitz Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[99] Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 63[91][99] 31 October 1942[99]
141 Josef Zwernemann Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[100] Pilot in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 52[91][100] 31 October 1942[100]
142 Wolfgang Lüth+ Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[101] Commander of U-181[91][101] 13 November 1942[101] Awarded 29th Swords 15 April 1943
7th Diamonds 9 August 1943[101]
143 Werner Töniges Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[102] Commander of Schnellboot S-102 in the 1. Schnellbootflottille[91][102] 13 November 1942[102]
144 Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz+ Heer 16-HOberstleutnant of the Reserves[95] Commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 2[95][103] 13 November 1942[95] Awarded 27th Swords 28 March 1943
11th Diamonds 15 April 1944[95]
A smiling man in uniform holding s sheaf of documents
145 Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke+ Luftwaffe 18-LGeneralmajor[93] Commander of Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke"[93][103] 13 November 1942[93] Awarded 99th Swords 19 September 1944
20th Diamonds 19 September 1944[93]
Upper body of a man wearing a military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar.
146 Josef Wurmheller+ Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[104] Pilot in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[103][104] 13 November 1942[Note 13] Awarded 108th Swords 24 October 1944[104]
147 Karl-Friedrich Merten Kriegsmarine 15-MKorvettenkapitän[105] Commander of U-68[103][105] 16 November 1942[105]
148 Friedrich Lang+ Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[106] Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[103][106] 21 November 1942[Note 14] Awarded 74th Swords 2 July 1944[106]
149 Alwin Boerst+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[107] Staffelkapitän of the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[103][107] 28 November 1942[107] Awarded 61st Swords 6 April 1944[107]
150 Ekkehard Kylling-Schmidt Heer 13-HOberleutnant[108] Chief of the 4./Füsilier-Regiment 26[103][108] 4 December 1942[108]
151 Ernst Nobis Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[16] Commander of Jäger-Regiment 204[16][103] 5 December 1942[16]
152 Wolfgang Fischer Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant[109] Commander of 10. Panzer-Division[103][109] 9 December 1942[109]
153 Karl Allmendinger Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant[110] Commander of 5. Jäger-Division[103][110] 13 December 1942[110]
154 Heinrich Paepcke Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[111] Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Kampfgeschwader 30[Note 15] 19 December 1942*[111] Killed in action 17 October 1942[103]
155 Hermann Balck+ Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[112] Commander of 11. Panzer-Division[103][112] 20 December 1942[112] Awarded 25th Swords 4 March 1943
19th Diamonds 31 August 1944[112]
The head and shoulders of a man, shown from the front. He wears a military uniform, and an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his dark uniform collar. His hair is combed to the back, his facial expression is a determined; his eyes are looking into the camera.
156 Walter Heitz Heer 20-HGeneral der Artillerie[17] Commanding general of the VIII. Armeekorps[17][103] 21 December 1942[17]
A black-and-white photograph of an older man in semi profile wearing a military uniform. His eyes are looking to the left of the camera
157 Hermann Fegelein?[Note 16] Waffen-SS 17-WSS-Oberführer Commander of SS-Kampfgruppe "Fegelein"[114] 22 December 1942 Awarded 83rd Swords 30 July 1944 A black-and-white photograph of a man in semi profile wearing a military uniform and a neck order in shape of an Iron Cross.
158 Helmuth von Ruckteschell Kriegsmarine 17-MKapitän zur See of the reserves[115] Commander of Hilfskreuzer "Michel" (HSK 9)[115][116] 23 December 1942[115]
159 Felix Steiner+ Waffen-SS 19-WSS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS[75] Commander of 5. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"[75][116] 23 December 1942[75] Awarded 86th Swords 10 August 1944[75] A man wearing a military uniform and neck order, in the shape of a cross. His hair is combed to the back.
160 Hubert Lanz Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant[117] Commander of 1. Gebirgs-Division[116][117] 23 December 1942[117]
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161 Helmuth Schlömer Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[118] Commander of 3. Infanterie-Division (motorized)[116][118] 23 December 1942[118]
162 Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim+ Heer 17-HOberst[39] Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26[39][116] 23 December 1942[39] Awarded 105th Swords 23 October 1944[39]
163 Hartwig von Ludwiger Heer 17-HOberst[119] Commander of Jäger-Regiment 83[116][119] 23 December 1942[119]
164 Harald von Hirschfeld Heer 14-HHauptmann[18] Leader of the II./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98[18][116] 23 December 1942[18]
165 Josef Bremm+ Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the reserves[26] Chief of the 5./Infanterie-Regiment 426[26][116] 23 December 1942[26] Awarded (159th) Swords 9 May 1945?[19][Note 17]
166 Helmut Thumm Heer 17-HOberst[121] Commander of Jäger-Regiment 56[116][121] 23 December 1942[121]
167 Helmuth von Pannwitz Heer 17-HOberst[122] Leader of the Kampfgruppe "von Pannwitz"[116][122] 23 December 1942[122]
168 Martin Fiebig Luftwaffe 19-LGeneralleutnant[123] Commanding general of the VIII. Fliegerkorps[116][123] 23 December 1942[123]

Notes

  1. For an explanation of the various naming schemes used by the Luftwaffe, Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS refer to nomenclature used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
  2. Otto Hitzfeld's nomination was rejected by Major Joachim Domaschk on 30 April 1945 and commented: "This is not a nomination!" (Only leadership and organisational achievements, no personal bravery) he additionally noted: "missing in cauldron AOK 11". The nomination was thus assessed as insufficient as well as postponed according to AHA 44 Ziff. 572. The entry date noted on the nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is 28 April 1945. The list indicates a note "deferred". The approval cannot be proven. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) handled the case in 1981 and decided: Swords yes, 9 May 1945. The AKCR claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "158" and presentation date was assigned by the AKCR. Hitzfeld was member of the AKCR.[20]
  3. According to Scherzer on 18 May 1942 and not 19 May 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[37][51]
  4. According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 77.[59]
  5. According to Scherzer on 7 August 1942 and not 9 August 1944 as stated by Fellgiebel.[55][67]
  6. According to Scherzer on 12 July 1944 and not 9 July 1944 as stated by Fellgiebel.[67][68]
  7. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant and not Hauptmann as stated by Fellgiebel.[73][79]
  8. According to Scherzer on 15 September 1942.[85]
  9. Both Fellgiebel and Scherzer state that Friedrich-Karl Müller received the Oak Leaves while serving with 1./Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3) "Udet", while Prien states that he was serving with 1./Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53). 1./JG 53 seems to be correct based upon the chronicles of JG 53 which details the chain of events leading to the awarding of Oak Leaves just 4 days after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.[43][73][87]
  10. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves and not Leutnant as stated by Fellgiebel.[90][91]
  11. According to Scherzer on 5 October 1942 and not 7 October 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[29][91]
  12. According to Scherzer as pilot and not Staffelkapitän as stated by Fellgiebel.[91][97]
  13. According to Scherzer on 14 November 1942 and not on 13 November 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[104]
  14. According to Scherzer on 28 November 1942 and not on 21 November 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[106]
  15. According to Scherzer as Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Kampfgeschwader 30 and not III. as stated by Fellgiebel.[103][111]
  16. Hermann Fegelein was court-martialed and sentenced to death on 28 April 1945 by a court led by SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke. The sentence was carried out the same day. The death sentence resulted in the loss of all orders and honorary signs.[113]
  17. Josef Bremm's nomination by the troop was rejected by Major Joachim Domaschk on 30 April 1945 and instead recommended for the German Cross in Gold. Just like all other nominations, which at this point in time were related to members of the 11. Armee, the nomination was not further processed since the 11. Armee had capitulated on 21 April 1945 and presentations to prisoners of war or missing in action were prohibited. In all other instances of similar circumstances a note on the nomination can be found stating: "postpone AOK 11" or "postpone according to AHA 44 Ziff. 572". The entry date noted on the nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is 28 April 1945. The list indicates a note "deferred". The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "159" was assigned by the AKCR. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel. Bremm was member of the AKCR.[120]

References

Citations

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  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  11. 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 57.
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Bibliography

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Further reading

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

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