List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1943)
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. This 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 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 and executed after a court-martial on 28 April 1945. 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, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. 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 and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.[6] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, 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 1943
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 author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity or formal correctness of the listing.
Notes
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ According to Scherzer as commander of Luftwaffe-Kampfgruppe "Stahel"[10]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as leader of I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66.[25]
- ↑ According to Scherzer on 5 February 1943.[34]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the Aufklärungsstaffel 1.(F)/121.[35]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as pilot in the 4./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.[40]
- 1 2 According to Scherzer as 'Oberleutnant' of the Reserves and Staffelkapitän of the 6./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.[43]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as "in the 14./Grenadier-Regiment 513", without specifying the position.[55]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as leader of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1.[60]
- ↑ According to Scherzer on 16 March 1943.[60]
- ↑ According to Scherzer on 27 August 1944.[62]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as commander of Schnellboot S-56.[72]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as leader of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 1.[69]
- ↑ According to Scherzer on 22 August 1943.[122]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Thule".[44]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as Generalmajor.[123]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 5[106]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as leader of LVI. Panzerkorps.[76]
- ↑ No evidence of the award presented to Sylvester Stadler can be found in the German Federal Archives, also it is not mentioned by the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). According to Fellgiebel, the award was presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich, which would make it an unlawful presentation. Fellgiebel is referring to Hermann Buch, the former IIa (personnel administration) of the 2. SS-Division "Das Reich", and Wilhelm Kment, the adjutant of Heinrich Himmler and liaison officer to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office), as sources. Buch reported on 25 June 2004 that he did not have anything to do with this case. Stadler himself claimed that Dietrich had nominated him on 22 March 1945, even though the 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" was not subordinated to the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "152" was assigned by the AKCR. The date might have been taken from Ernst-Günther Krätschmer.[143]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as General der Fallschirmtruppe.[145]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as Generalmajor.[171]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as Generalleutnant.[48]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän in the III./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet".[136]
- ↑ According to Scherzer as commander of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3.[178]
- ↑ According to Scherzer on 20 December 1943.[193]
References
Citations
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 53–104.
- ↑ Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
- ↑ Scherzer 2007, pp. 110–116, 128.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 49–51.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 716.
- 1 2 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 64.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 306.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 355.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 65.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 315.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 486.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 273.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 202.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 786.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 549.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 585.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 787.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 338.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 451.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 328.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 475.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 354.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 605.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 629.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 543.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 604.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 66.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 633.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 452.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 308.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 400.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 246.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 459.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 541.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 335.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 66, 477.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 730.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 209.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 206.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 791.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 544.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 660.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 669.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 801.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 67.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 525.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 463.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 495.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 503.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 630.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 493.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 484.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 477.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 397.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 572.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 603.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 347.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 657.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 687.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 407.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 688.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 664.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 68.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 275.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 239.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 431.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 800.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 445.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 316.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 643.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 406.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 531.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 271.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 251.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 236.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 728.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 497.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 69.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 395.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 402.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 697.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 69, 478.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 570.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 348.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 199.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 352.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 479.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 227.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 513.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Scherzer 2007, p. 345.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 436.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 356.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scherzer 2007, p. 575.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 444.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 70.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 634.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 294.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 381.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 207.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 409.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 652.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 371.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 510.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 540.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 290.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 776.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 443.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 685.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 71.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 385.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 428.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 623.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 555.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 480.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 255.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 507.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Scherzer 2007, p. 262.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 324.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 615.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 651.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 341.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 71, 478.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 291.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 690.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 72.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 299.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 809.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 351.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 573.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 72, 478.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 501.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 418.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 366.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scherzer 2007, p. 743.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 492.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 583.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 747.
- ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 176.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 73.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 732.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 620.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 321.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 714.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 684.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 534.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 587.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 631.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 638.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 763.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 342.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 805.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 616.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 343.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 441.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 74.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 453.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 193.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 238.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 74, 478
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 622.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 259.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 279.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 375.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 422.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 244.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 225.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 526.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 377.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 219.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 75.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 368.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 319.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 777.
- 1 2 3 4 Scherzer 2007, p. 282.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 767.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 293.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 494.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 382.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 75, 478.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 761.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 196.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 752.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 554.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 76.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 76, 478.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 258.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 666.
- 1 2 3 Scherzer 2007, p. 318.
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.
- 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.
External links
- "Das Bundesarchiv". Military Archive - Freiburg im Breisgau. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.