Helmut Meitzel

Helmut Meitzel (24 April 1920 – 9 July 2004) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was also awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold one of only 631 awards.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (30 September 1939)
  • 1st Class (15 July 1940)
• Wound Badge
  • in Black
  • in Silver
  • in Gold (4 February 1944)
• Eastern Front Medal
• Infantry Assault Badge
• Tank Destruction Badge for Individual Combatants
• Close Combat Clasp
  • in Bronze
  • in Silver (Summer 1943)
  • in Gold (29 September 1943)
• Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (17 November 1943)
• German Cross in Gold (2 January 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of II./Grenadier-Regiment 15 (mot.)
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (16 January 1944)

Wehrmachtbericht references

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
16 January 1944	Bei den schweren Kämpfen im Raum nordwestlich Mignano hat sich das II. Bataillon des Panzergrenadierregiments 15 unter Hauptmann Meitzel sowie das II. Bataillon des Panzergrenadierregiments 71 unter Hauptmann Schneider hervorragend bewährt.	In the heavy fighting in the area northwest Mignano, the 2nd Battalion of the Panzergrenadier Regiment 15, under Captain Meitzel and the 2nd Battalion of the Panzergrenadier Regiment 71, under Captain Schneider, have exceptionally proven themselves.

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Lexikon der Wehrmacht