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

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 acceptance by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[1] However, author 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 Germany 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 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 presentationsPosthumous 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 author 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
58Oskar von BoddienHeerOberstleutnant[10]Commander of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22[10][11]8 January 1942*[10]Killed in action 6 January 1942[11]
59Hans Jordan+HeerOberst[12]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 49[11][12]16 January 1942[12]Awarded 64th Swords 20 April 1944[12]
60Karl-Wilhelm SpechtHeerOberst[13]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 55[11][13]16 January 1942[13]
61Hans Freiherr von WolffHeerHauptmann[14]Commander of the I./Schützen-Regiment 28[11][14]16 January 1942[14]At the same time promoted to Major[11]
62Hans-Valentin Hube+HeerGeneralmajor[15]Commander of 16. Panzer-Division[11][15]16 January 1942[15]Awarded 22nd Swords 21 December 1942
13th Diamonds 20 April 1944[15]
63Karl-Heinz NoakHeerOberleutnant[16]Commander of the 1./Panzer-Jagd-Abteilung 137[11][16]16 January 1942[16]
64Joachim Helbig+LuftwaffeHauptmann[17]Gruppenkommandeur of the I.(Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1[11][17]16 January 1942[17]Awarded 20th Swords 28 September 1942[17]
65Otto Hitzfeld+HeerOberstleutnant[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.
66Wilhelm Wegener+HeerOberst[21]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 94[11][21]19 January 1942[21]Awarded 97th Swords 17 September 1944[21]
67Hans TrautHeerOberst[22]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 41 (motorized) and leader of 10. Infanterie-Division (motorized)[22][23]23 January 1942[22]
68Werner-Albrecht von und zu GilsaHeerGeneralmajor[24]Commander of 216. Infanterie-Division[23][24]24 January 1942[24]
69Hermann Breith+HeerGeneralmajor[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.
70Rolf KaldrackLuftwaffeHauptmann[27]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Schnellkampfgeschwader 210[23][27]9 February 1942*[27]Killed in action 3 February 1942[23]
71Heinrich BorgmannHeerHauptmann[26]Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 46[23][26]11 February 1942[26]Killed in action 6 April 1945[23]
72Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist+HeerGeneraloberst[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.
73Georg-Hans Reinhardt+HeerGeneral 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.
74Walter Model+HeerGeneral 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]
75Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und ErlencampHeerGeneralmajor[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.
76Walter WesselHeerOberst[32]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 15 (motorized)[23][32]17 February 1942[32]at the same time promoted to Generalmajor[23]
77Walter HagenLuftwaffeOberstleutnant[33]Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[23][33]17 February 1942[33]
78Albert Kesselring+LuftwaffeGeneralfeldmarschall[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.
79Gerhard KöppenLuftwaffeFeldwebel[35]Pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[23][35]27 February 1942[35]
80Kurt UbbenLuftwaffeHauptmann[36]Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 77[36][37]12 March 1942[36]
81Max-Hellmuth Ostermann+LuftwaffeOberleutnant[38]Staffelkapitän of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 54[37][38]12 March 1942[38]Awarded 10th Swords 17 May 1942[38]
82Franz EckerleLuftwaffeHauptmann[39]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[37][39]12 March 1942*[39]Killed in action 14 February 1942[37]
83Wolf-Dietrich HuyLuftwaffeOberleutnant[40]Staffelkapitän of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 77[37][40]17 March 1942[40]
84Hans StrelowLuftwaffeLeutnant[41]Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[37][41]24 March 1942[41]
85Wilhelm SpiesLuftwaffeHauptmann[42]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel"[37][42]5 April 1942*[42]Killed in action 27 January 1942[37]
86Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller+HeerOberst[43]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 105[37][43]8 April 1942[43]Awarded 128th Swords 27 January 1945[43]
87Erich Topp+KriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[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.
88Theodor EickeWaffen-SSSS-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.
89Reinhard HardegenKriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[46]Commander of U-123[37][46]23 April 1942[46]
90Wolfgang SpäteLuftwaffeOberleutnant of the Reserves[47]Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54[37][47]23 April 1942[47]
91Alfred WünnenbergWaffen-SSSS-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.
92Theodor SchererHeerGeneralmajor[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.
93Hermann Graf+LuftwaffeLeutnant 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]
94Adolf DickfeldLuftwaffeLeutnant of the Reserves[51]Pilot in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 52[37][51]19 May 1942[Note 3]
95Eberhard von MackensenHeerGeneral der Kavallerie[52]Commanding general of the III. Panzerkorps[37][52]26 May 1942[52]
96Leopold Steinbatz+LuftwaffeOberfeldwebel[53]Pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[37][53]2 June 1942[53]Awarded 14th Swords 23 June 1942[53]
97Hans-Joachim Marseille+LuftwaffeOberleutnant[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.
98Helmut Lent+LuftwaffeMajor[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.
99Robert-Georg Freiherr von MalapertLuftwaffeHauptmann[57]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[55][57]8 June 1942*[57]Killed in action 21 May 1942[55]
100Ludwig WolffHeerGeneralmajor[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.
101Friedrich GeißhardtLuftwaffeOberleutnant[58]Pilot and adjutant in the Stab of the I./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][Note 4]23 June 1942[58]
102Heinrich SetzLuftwaffeOberleutnant[59]Staffelkapitän of the 4./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][59]23 June 1942[59]
103Walter von Brockdorff-AhlefeldtHeerGeneral der Infanterie[60]Commanding general of the II. Armeekorps[55][60]27 June 1942[60]
104Rolf MützelburgKriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[61]Commander of U-203[55][61]15 July 1942[61]
105Adalbert SchneeKriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[62]Commander of U-201[55][62]15 July 1942[62]
106Erwin ClausenLuftwaffeOberleutnant[63]Staffelkapitän of the 6./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][63]23 July 1942[63]
107Viktor BauerLuftwaffeOberleutnant[64]Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[55][64]26 July 1942[64]
108Franz-Josef BeerenbrockLuftwaffeOberfeldwebel[65]Pilot in the 10./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[55][65]3 August 1942[65]
109Anton Hackl+LuftwaffeHauptmann[66]Staffelkapitän of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 77[55][66]9 August 1942[66][Note 5]Awarded 78th Swords 9 July 1944[Note 6]
110Traugott Herr+HeerGeneralmajor[68]Commander of 13. Panzer-Division[55][68]9 August 1942[68]Awarded 117th Swords 18 December 1944[68]
111Werner KempfHeerGeneral der Panzertruppe[69]Commanding general of the XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps[55][69]10 August 1942[69]
112Gerhard KolleweLuftwaffeMajor[70]Gruppenkommandeur of the II.(Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1[55][70]16 August 1942[70]
113Walter Gorn+HeerOberstleutnant[71]Commander of Kradschützen-Bataillon 59[71][72]17 August 1942[71]Awarded 30th Swords 8 June 1943[71]
114Kurt BrändleLuftwaffeHauptmann[73]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[72][73]27 August 1942[73]
115Johannes Steinhoff+LuftwaffeHauptmann[74]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 52[72][74]2 September 1942[74]Awarded 82nd Swords 28 July 1944[74]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.
116Walter SigelLuftwaffeOberstleutnant[75]Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[72][75]2 September 1942[75]
117Johann ZemskyLuftwaffeHauptmann[76]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[72][76]3 September 1942*[76]Killed in action 28 August 1942[72]
118Alfred Druschel+LuftwaffeHauptmann[Note 7]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 1[72][77]3 September 1942[77]Awarded 24th Swords 19 February 1943[77]
119Dr. Ing. Ernst BormannLuftwaffeOberst[26]Commander of Gefechtsverband Bormann augmenting Kampfgeschwader 76[26][72]3 September 1942[26]
120Gerhard HeinHeerLeutnant of the Reserves[78]Leader of the 5./Infanterie-Regiment 209[78][79]6 September 1942[78]
121Werner Ziegler+HeerOberleutnant[80]Leader of the 2./Infanterie-Regiment 186[72][80]8 September 1942[80]Awarded 102nd Swords 23 October 1944[80]
122Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke+LuftwaffeHauptmann[81]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[72][81]9 September 1942[81]Awarded 23rd Swords 23 December 1942[81]
123Klaus ScholtzKriegsmarineKorvettenkapitän[82]Commander of U-108[72][82]10 September 1942[82]
124Heinz SchmidtLuftwaffeLeutnant[83]Pilot in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 52[72][83]16 September 1942[Note 8]
125Heinrich BleichrodtKriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[84]Commander of U-109[72][84]23 September 1942[84]
126Friedrich-Karl MüllerLuftwaffeOberleutnant[43]Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 53[Note 9]23 September 1942[43]
127Wilhelm CriniusLuftwaffeFeldwebel[86]Pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 53[72][86]23 September 1942[86]
128Wolfgang TonneLuftwaffeOberleutnant[44]Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 53[44][72]24 September 1942[44]
129Bruno Ritter von HauenschildHeerGeneralmajor[87]Commander of 24. Panzer-Division[72][87]27 September 1942[87]
130Hans BeißwengerLuftwaffeLeutnant[Note 10]Pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54[88][89]3 October 1942[88]
131Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert+LuftwaffeFeldwebel[29]Pilot in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 77[29][89]7 October 1942[Note 11]Awarded 130th Swords 1 February 1945[29]
132Karl TorleyHeerHauptmann[44]Commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 60 (motorized)[44][89]11 October 1942[44]
133Johannes KümmelHeerHauptmann[90]Commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 8[89][90]11 October 1942[90]
134Günther Rall+LuftwaffeOberleutnant[91]Staffelkapitän of the 8./Jagdgeschwader 52[91][92]26 October 1942[91]Awarded 34th Swords 12 September 1943[91]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.
135Ludwig KirschnerHeerOberstleutnant[93]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 72[89][93]28 October 1942[93]
136Konrad HupferHeerHauptmann[94]Commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 72[89][94]28 October 1942[94]
137Max StotzLuftwaffeOberfeldwebel[93]Pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 54[89][93]30 October 1942[93]
138Heinrich SchweickhardtLuftwaffeHauptmann[95]Staffelkapitän of the 8./Kampfgeschwader 76[Note 12]30 October 1942[95]
139Wolfgang SchenckLuftwaffeHauptmann[96]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Zerstörergeschwader 1[89][96]30 October 1942[96]
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.
140Hermann SeitzHeerOberstleutnant[97]Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 63[89][97]31 October 1942[97]
141Josef ZwernemannLuftwaffeOberfeldwebel[98]Pilot in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 52[89][98]31 October 1942[98]
142Wolfgang Lüth+KriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[99]Commander of U-181[89][99]13 November 1942[99]Awarded 29th Swords 15 April 1943
7th Diamonds 9 August 1943[99]
143Werner TönigesKriegsmarineKapitänleutnant[100]Commander of Schnellboot S-102 in the 1. Schnellbootflottille[89][100]13 November 1942[100]
144Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz+HeerOberstleutnant of the Reserves[93]Commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 2[93][101]13 November 1942[93]Awarded 27th Swords 28 March 1943
11th Diamonds 15 April 1944[93]
A smiling man in uniform holding s sheaf of documents
145Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke+LuftwaffeGeneralmajor[91]Commander of Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke"[91][101]13 November 1942[91]Awarded 99th Swords 19 September 1944
20th Diamonds 19 September 1944[91]
Upper body of a man wearing a military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar.
146Josef Wurmheller+LuftwaffeLeutnant[102]Pilot in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[101][102]13 November 1942[Note 13]Awarded 108th Swords 24 October 1944[102]
147Karl-Friedrich MertenKriegsmarineKorvettenkapitän[103]Commander of U-68[101][103]16 November 1942[103]
148Friedrich Lang+LuftwaffeHauptmann[104]Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[101][104]21 November 1942[Note 14]Awarded 74th Swords 2 July 1944[104]
149Alwin Boerst+LuftwaffeOberleutnant[105]Staffelkapitän of the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[101][105]28 November 1942[105]Awarded 61st Swords 6 April 1944[105]
150Ekkehard Kylling-SchmidtHeerOberleutnant[106]Chief of the 4./Füsilier-Regiment 26[101][106]4 December 1942[106]
151Ernst NobisHeerOberstleutnant[16]Commander of Jäger-Regiment 204[16][101]5 December 1942[16]
152Wolfgang FischerHeerGeneralleutnant[107]Commander of 10. Panzer-Division[101][107]9 December 1942[107]
153Karl AllmendingerHeerGeneralleutnant[108]Commander of 5. Jäger-Division[101][108]13 December 1942[108]
154Heinrich PaepckeLuftwaffeHauptmann[109]Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Kampfgeschwader 30[Note 15]19 December 1942*[109]Killed in action 17 October 1942[101]
155Hermann Balck+HeerGeneralmajor[110]Commander of 11. Panzer-Division[101][110]20 December 1942[110]Awarded 25th Swords 4 March 1943
19th Diamonds 31 August 1944[110]
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.
156Walter HeitzHeerGeneral der Artillerie[17]Commanding general of the VIII. Armeekorps[17][101]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
157Hermann Fegelein?[Note 16]Waffen-SSSS-OberführerCommander of SS-Kampfgruppe "Fegelein"[112]22 December 1942Awarded 83rd Swords 30 July 1944A black-and-white photograph of a man in semi profile wearing a military uniform and a neck order in shape of an Iron Cross.
158Helmuth von RuckteschellKriegsmarineKapitän zur See of the reserves[113]Commander of Hilfskreuzer "Michel" (HSK 9)[113][114]23 December 1942[113]
159Felix Steiner+Waffen-SSSS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS[74]Commander of 5. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"[74][114]23 December 1942[74]Awarded 86th Swords 10 August 1944[74]A man wearing a military uniform and neck order, in the shape of a cross. His hair is combed to the back.
160Hubert LanzHeerGeneralleutnant[115]Commander of 1. Gebirgs-Division[114][115]23 December 1942[115]
Lanz is seen at the Nuremberg Trials. He is heavily guarded and is wearing headphones.
161Helmuth SchlömerHeerGeneralmajor[116]Commander of 3. Infanterie-Division (motorized)[114][116]23 December 1942[116]
162Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim+HeerOberst[39]Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26[39][114]23 December 1942[39]Awarded 105th Swords 23 October 1944[39]
163Hartwig von LudwigerHeerOberst[117]Commander of Jäger-Regiment 83[114][117]23 December 1942[117]
164Harald von HirschfeldHeerHauptmann[18]Leader of the II./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98[18][114]23 December 1942[18]
165Josef Bremm+HeerOberleutnant of the reserves[26]Chief of the 5./Infanterie-Regiment 426[26][114]23 December 1942[26]Awarded (159th) Swords 9 May 1945?[19][Note 17]
166Helmut ThummHeerOberst[119]Commander of Jäger-Regiment 56[114][119]23 December 1942[119]
167Helmuth von PannwitzHeerOberst[120]Leader of the Kampfgruppe "von Pannwitz"[114][120]23 December 1942[120]
168Martin FiebigLuftwaffeGeneralleutnant[121]Commanding general of the VIII. Fliegerkorps[114][121]23 December 1942[121]

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.[58]
  5. According to Scherzer on 7 August 1942 and not 9 August 1944 as stated by Fellgiebel.[55][66]
  6. According to Scherzer on 12 July 1944 and not 9 July 1944 as stated by Fellgiebel.[66][67]
  7. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant and not Hauptmann as stated by Fellgiebel.[72][77]
  8. According to Scherzer on 15 September 1942.[83]
  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][72][85]
  10. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant (war officer) and not Leutnant as stated by Fellgiebel.[88][89]
  11. According to Scherzer on 5 October 1942 and not 7 October 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[29][89]
  12. According to Scherzer as pilot and not Staffelkapitän as stated by Fellgiebel.[89][95]
  13. According to Scherzer on 14 November 1942 and not on 13 November 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[102]
  14. According to Scherzer on 28 November 1942 and not on 21 November 1942 as stated by Fellgiebel.[104]
  15. According to Scherzer as Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Kampfgeschwader 30 and not III. as stated by Fellgiebel.[101][109]
  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.[111]
  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.[118]

References

Citations

  1. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 53–104.
  2. Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
  3. Scherzer 2007, pp. 110–116, 128.
  4. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  5. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  6. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  7. "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  8. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
  9. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 49–51.
  10. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 227.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 57.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 424.
  13. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 712.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 796.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 407.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 571.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 378.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 393.
  19. 1 2 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 49.
  20. Scherzer 2007, p. 141.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 771.
  22. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 749.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 58.
  24. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 336.
  25. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 242.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Scherzer 2007, p. 235.
  27. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 429.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 447.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 620.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 547.
  31. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 493.
  32. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 781.
  33. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 360.
  34. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 438.
  35. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 460.
  36. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 753.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 59.
  38. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 579.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 287.
  40. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 412.
  41. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 731.
  42. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 713.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 555.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Scherzer 2007, p. 748.
  45. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 291.
  46. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 366.
  47. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 711.
  48. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 798.
  49. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 660.
  50. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 344.
  51. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 271.
  52. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 522.
  53. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 720.
  54. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 528.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 60.
  56. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 502.
  57. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 525.
  58. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 330.
  59. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 702.
  60. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 245.
  61. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 559.
  62. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 675.
  63. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 260.
  64. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 206.
  65. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 210.
  66. 1 2 3 4 5 Scherzer 2007, p. 358.
  67. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.
  68. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 385.
  69. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 436.
  70. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 464.
  71. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 342.
  72. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 61.
  73. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 238.
  74. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 721.
  75. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 706.
  76. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 804.
  77. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 282.
  78. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 375.
  79. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 61, 476.
  80. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 805.
  81. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 786.
  82. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 681.
  83. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 670.
  84. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 225.
  85. Prien 1998, p. 429.
  86. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 263.
  87. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 370.
  88. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 213.
  89. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 62.
  90. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 481.
  91. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 612
  92. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 62, 476.
  93. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Scherzer 2007, p. 728.
  94. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 411.
  95. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 696.
  96. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 659.
  97. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 700.
  98. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 810.
  99. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 518.
  100. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 747.
  101. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 63.
  102. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 800.
  103. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 538.
  104. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 491.
  105. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 231.
  106. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 488.
  107. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 310.
  108. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 190.
  109. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 581.
  110. 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 200.
  111. Scherzer 2007, p. 128.
  112. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 63, 477.
  113. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 643.
  114. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 64.
  115. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 494.
  116. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 665.
  117. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 517.
  118. Scherzer 2007, p. 123.
  119. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 744.
  120. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 582.
  121. 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 306.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Prien, Jochen (1998). Jagdgeschwader 53 A History of the "Pik As" Geschwader May 1942 – January 1944. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7643-0292-3.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes". Lexikon der Wehrmacht (in German). Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  • "Das Bundesarchiv". Military Archive – Freiburg im Breisgau. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.

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