Theodor Kretschmer

Theodor Kretschmer
Born	26 November 1901 Burghaun
Died	Schlitz
Allegiance	Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1919–45
Rank	Generalmajor
Commands held	16. Panzer-Division 17. Panzer-Division
Battles/wars	World War II Annexation of Austria Annexation of the Sudetenland Battle of France Battle of the Caucasus Vistula–Oder Offensive Lower Silesian Offensive Upper Silesian Offensive
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Theodor Kretschmer (26 November 1901 – 5 December 1986) was a highly decorated Generalmajor 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 was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Biography

Kretschmer joined the German Army in 1919 and was commissioned in 1924. After a number of staff positions he briefly became commander of the 16. Panzer-Division in late 1944 before taking over as the commander of the 17. Panzer-Division on 1 February 1945. Kretschmer was promoted to Major General on 1 April 1945. He surrendered his division on 11 May 1945 east of Prague and was captured by Soviet troops and held as a prisoner of war until 1955.

Awards and decorations

• Anschluss Medal
• Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar
• Blood Order
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (5 March 1945)
• German Cross in Gold (3 October 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 March 1945 as Oberst and commander of 17. Panzer-Division

External links

• Theodor Kretschmer @ Axis Biographical Research at the Wayback Machine (archived November 17, 2010)
• World War 2 Awards.com

Military offices
Preceded by Generalleutnant Dietrich von Müller	Commander of 16. Panzer-Division 1 December 1944 – 31 January 1945	Succeeded by Generalleutnant Dietrich von Müller
Preceded by Oberst Albert Brux	Commander of 17. Panzer-Division 1 February 1945 – 8 May 1945	Succeeded by None