Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) Holders: Participants to Campaign in North Africa
by Founding Seven Member / Author "NACHT" with Founding Seven Member Research Fellow / Archivist "Fezzo"
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) Holders: Participants to Campaign in North Africa | |||||||||
| # | Last Name | First Name | Country | Service Branch | DAK Units /Last Service Position /Unit Attachment | Awarded /Highest Rank | Date of Award | Action | Portrait |
| 1 | Albers | Hans-Wilhelm | Germany | Heeres: Artillerie | 1./Art. Regt. "AFRIKA" 577./sc. Art. Regiment | Oberstleutnant /Major | May 10, 1943 | Took command of 1./Art. Regt. "AFRIKA" at formation with Allied landings in Morocco, KIA: 4 June, 1944 in Italy as Kom. (Major) 577./sc. Art. | |
| 2 | von Arnim | Hans Jürgen | Germany | Heeres | December 3, 1942 CinC 5./Panzer Armee "AFRIKA" then C in C Army Group "AFRIKA": | Generalleutnant /Genraloberst | September 4, 1941 | Commander of 17./PD, General der Panzertruppe, took over from Rommel, March 12, 1943 to May 12, 1943 (POW for four years) | |
| 3 | Audorff | Paul | Germany | Heeres | Kom. 754./Gren.Rgt. | Oberstleutnant | May 13, 1943 | Defended Goubellat & Bou Arada of vital Tunisian center front to Medjez el Bab. Audorff unit with 5./Falsch. Rgt. thwarted British until April 21-May 5, 1943 advance into Tunis. May 8, 1943 taken POW. | |
| 4 | Baade | Ernst-Günther | Germany | Heeres | 115./Schützen Rgt. 90./Pz.Gren.Div.
| Oberst / Generalleutnant | KC, June 27, 1942 115./Schützen Rgt. as Oberst Oakleaves (#402) February 22, 1944 Kom. 90./Pz.Gren.Div. Oberst Swords (#111) November 16, 1944 90./Pz.Gren.Div. Generalleutnant | April 1942, Kom. 115./Schützen Rgt. & actions at Tobruk & Bir Hacheim. September 30, 1942 attached to German General in high command of Italian armed forces. December 20, 1943 Kom. 90./Pz.Gren.Div. won Oak Leaves at Monte Cassino & Swords for service in Italy. KIA by strafing attack as commander LXXVI Armee Korps, March 1945 | |
| 5 | Bach | Georg Wilhelm | Germany | Heeres | I Batt. /104.Schützen Rgt. | Oberstleutnant | July 9, 1941 | "Pastor in Purgatory" - Halfaya Pass, Blocked 4 RTR / other units advance in Operation Battleaxe three times. November, 1941 abandoned and out of ammunition they surrendered. Died in accident as POW in Canada on December 22, 1941 | |
| 6 | Bär | Heinrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | I./JG 51 Kom. JV 44 | Leutnant /Oberstleutnant | KC, July 2, 1941 Oakleaves (#31) August 14, 1941 Swords (#7) February 16, 1942 | KC as pilot in I./JG51. 60 Kills got him Oak Leaves and 90 Kills the Swords. 95 in Russia and 45 in the skies over Africa. He was repeatedly denied the Diamonds! He was too open mouthed with Göring or would have received Diamonds with Swords as he was recommended for them on several occasions. Recorded 220 aerial victories and became a master of the Me-262 (16 victories). | |
| 7 | von Barby | Hans-Lewin | Germany | Heeres | Kom. 361./AFRIKA Rgt. | Oberstleutnant /Oberst | KC, December 13, 1941 | Took as Kom. III Batt./255./Inf.Rgt. to Africa. Promoted to take Kom. of 361./Afrika Rgt. renamed 361./le. Inf. Rgt. to even later become 361./Schützen Rgt. von Barby was instrumental in successes at Sidi Rezegh by blocking links between advancing British forces to Tobruk defenders. May 26, 1942 he was badly wounded east of Derna and died at Derna Hospital on the next day. | |
| 8 | von Bargen | Hans | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | ADJ/Technical Officer (TO) I./StG 3 Kom. I./StG 3 in Finland | Oberleutnant /Hauptmann | KC, September 19, 1942 as ADJ / Technical Officer (TO) I,/StG 3 | Known as 'Hänschen', he became as a dive bomber specialist against shipping. Was awarded his KC in ground support for actions over Sollum, Marsa Matruk, Bir Hacheim, & Tobruk, KIA: July 6, 1944 Aeyraeparae, Finland after more than 400 missions in Stukas! | |
| 9 | Bayerlein | Fritz | Germany | Heeres: Stab | Chief of Staff AFRIKAKORPS Chief of Staff I. Italienischen Armee Kom. Panzer Lehr Div. | Stab General | KC, December 26, 1941 as Chief of Staff AFRIKAKORPS Oakleaves (#258) July 6, 1942 as Chief of Staff I. Italienischen Armee Swords (#81) July 20, 1944 as Kom. Panzer Lehr Div. | Bayerlein served as Ia of the XIX Panzer Korps and this derived the Panzergruppe 2. He took position as Ia of AFRIKAKORPS under Rommel. July 6, 1942 as Chief of Staff I. Italienischen Armee. March 3, 1943, as Chief of Staff Deutsches-Italienische Panzer Armee AFRIKA. Author: Krieg ohne Hass (War without Hate) a book to bring Rommel into the masses | |
| 10 | Beckmann | Theodor | Germany | Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot | Kom. KG z.b.V.1 | Oberst | KC, December 23, 1942 | ||
| 11 | Behr | Winrich | Germany | Heeres: Panzer | III Kp./3. Aufklärungs Abteilung Army General Staff Panzer / Aufklärung | Oberleutnant /Major | KC, May 15, 1941 | Kom. III Kp./3. Aufklärungs Abteilung/Batt. Behr or "Teddy" along with Everth saw successes from taking El Agheila by driving along the dunes on March 24, 1941 to driving around Marsa el Brega to capture six guns and break up pockets of resistance to then in short time capture Fort Benina. Behr's motorcycle troops captured two tanks and led them on to Bardia. Both Wechmar & Oberst von Herff gave him distinguished recommendations for his KC. Behr left Africa due to illness in December of 1941. | |
| 12 | Belser | Helmut | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | Staffelkapitän ?3./JG 53 ?5./JG 53 8./JG 53 | Hauptmann | KC, September 6, 1942 was awarded posthumously | Staffelkapitän of 8./JG 53 and a part of III Gruppe's Top Scoring Aces. III Gruppe arrived in Africa on May 20, 1942 with the former Kom. of II./JG27 at its helm was Major Gerlitz. 7 Staffel led by Oberleutnant Pufahl (10 Kills) & 9 Staffel Kom. Oberleutnant Götz (33 Kills) He had 36 victories when killed in a takeoff accident by ground looping into a sand depression at Castel Benito. | |
| 13 | Bendert | Karl-Heinz | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | 5./JG 27 Staffelkapitän Lehr Jagdgeschwader 104 | Oberleutnant /Staffelkapitän | KC, for 42 Victories on December 30, 1942 | Most of his victories were over the skies of Africa but Bendert had a talent to teach his combat flying skills. He did not like the job but did it well! His final war tally was 610 combat missions and 54 victories. | |
| 14 | Berner | Emil | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Kanonier III Batterie/ 18./ FlaK Rgt. (mot.) | Unteroffizier | KC, November 3, 1942 | Berner was shipped to Africa with I Batterie/18./mot. Flak Rgt. to Tripoli in June of 1941. He successfully knocked out 8 tanks in November at the battles of Sidi Rezegh to receive his IC2. Then further success in KO's of enemy tanks moving to Agedabia. Berner's 88 gun group were on the move to drive around Bir Hacheim on May 25-26, 1942 to assault Tobruk. Seven British tanks broke through the defensive line behind him and assaulted his position at close range but Berner turned their eighty-eight around and knocked them all out. His '88' was credited with 42 anti-tank victories. Kesselring placed the KC around his neck personally. | |
| 15 | von | Georg | Germany | Heeres | Kom. 21./Panzer Division | Generalleutnant | KC, September 29, 1940 | Led 7./Schützen Rgt./7./PD in Campaign in France. Assigned to Stab Panzer Armee Afrika January 5, 1942. Led successful but different style maneuver to win back Cyrenaica then led attack on Tobruk to be promoted to Generalleutnant. Bismarck was killed in an air attack during the second day of fighting at the lead of forward elements of the 21./PD near El Alamein. Nehring and Kleeman were both also wounded at the same time. | |
| 16 | Blumme | Werner | Germany | Luftwaffe | 1./Fernaufklärungs Gruppe 122 | Leutnant | KC, July 1, 1942 | ||
| 17 | Boeckmann | Dr. Rudolf | Germany | Heeres: Artillerie | Kom. schwere Art. Abteilung 408 (DAK) 187./Art. Regiment, Siimusti, Estonia | Oberst | KC, July 23, 1942 | The Senior Kom. Artillerie in Africa, Generalmajor Krause and even Rommel depended on Dr. "B" the Kom. of a 10.5 cm gun unit. The Dr. was promoted to Major because of his expertise in pinpointing enemy positions and his advice on terrain deployment and proper laying of firing positions. July 17, 1942 saw a surprise attack on DAK positions south of El Alamein but Dr. "B" stopped the assault by direct fire of his artillery to win his KC. He was wounded on September 14, 1942 by a shell fragment hit to the head and evacuated to Germany. Dr. "B" was KIA near Siimusti, Estonia on September 19, 1944. | Photo courtesy of Dr. Boeckmann's widow |
| 18 | Bösel | Otto | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | I Batt./ 41./FlaK Rgt. (mot.) I Batterie/Feld Flak Artillerie Schule Zentre 16 | Haupt wachtmeister | KC, June 11, 1942 | Bösel was one of the gunners under Hauptmann Gürke to conquer Bir Hacheim. Later attached as a part of Oberst Wolz Kom. of 135./mot. FlaK ad hoc anti-tank shield devised by Nehring to outwit a British effort to block or stall the successful advances of the DAK on May 27, 1942. Bösel's gun was trained down to firing on vehicles to as little as the 150 meter range and he KO'd 20 tanks! The events were so remarkable that an inquiry was made before his award of the KC. He was evacuated to Germany to recovery from wounds received during the event and thus became a gunnery instructor! | |
| 19 | Bollbrinker | Dipl. Ing. Dr. Ernst | Germany | Heeres: Panzer | Kom. I./Pz.Rgt. 5 /5./le. AFRIKA Chief of Staff /Staff of the Inspector of Armored troops OKH/OKA | Major /Generalmajor | KC, May 15, 1941 | Bollbrinker was assigned to 5./le. Panzer Regiment AFRIKA which began disembarking at Tripoli on March 11, 1941. As the Kom. I./Pz.Rgt. 5 /5./le. AFRIKA he led into Marsa el Brega. Bollbrinker led the entire 5./le. AFRIKA Rgt. (to Div.) as replacement Kom. for a period in the spring. He was added to the Special Tropical Staff and to the end of the war was at Guderian's side from May10, 1943. | |
| 20 | Böttcher | Karl Heinrich | Germany | Heeres: Artillerie /Panzers | Kom., 21./PD Generale der Spezial N. 4 | Generalmajor / Generalleutnant | KC, December 13, 1941 | Kom. as of Feb. 1, 1941 into the reorganization in August of 1941 into the 21./PD. Böttcher led the independent battle group of 21,/PD & attached units from November 24-28 to block superior numbered forces from breaking through to Tobruk. His commendation was for this blocking maneuver until the combined forces of the AFRIKAKORPS could arrive. He fell ill in December 1941 and was evacuated to Germany to serve in reserve & Stab of the OKH. He was also Kom. of 326.Inf & 347.Inf Divs. to be moved to Generale der Spezial Duties N. 4. | |
| 21 | Borowietz | Willibald | Germany | Heeres | Kom. 15./PD in Tunis area | Oberstleutnant / Generalleutnant | KC, July 24, 1941, Kom. 10./Schützen Rgt. Oakleaves (#235) May 10, 1943, Kom. 15./PD | Kom. 10./Schützen Rgt. in Russia as lead or advance regiment. His Rgt. destroyed 92 tanks! Promoted to Kom. 15./PD on November 18, 1942, he led through defensive battles in Tunisia. Taken POW and sent to USA where he died in an accident. | |
| 22 | Braun | Rudolf | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka & FW-190 Pilot | Staffelkapitän 3./StG 3 Gruppen Kommandeur I./SG 3 | Leutnant /Hauptmann | KC, June 14, 1941 | Braun flew support mission over Crete and the Med until being assigned to role as Staffelkapitän 3./StG 3 from November 11, 1941 to May 25, 1942. On this day, in the Tobruk area, he was shot down and his gunner was killed with a crash landing near Tmimi. After recovery, his 3./StG 3 flew anti-partisan missions in the Balkans and then he served as Gruppenkommandeur of Stukagruppe 102 to be assigned as Gruppenkommandeur of I./SG 3. Braun flew 503 combat missions during the war and most in the Stuka. | |
| 23 | Brenner | Harro | Germany | Heeres: Rommel's Kampfstaffel | Fhr. e. I Inf. Kp. Kampfstaffel "AFRIKA" Fhr. e. I Inf. Kp./Kampfstaffel DAK (Leader of the 1st Infantry Company Combat Echelon AFRIKA) to Inf. Kp. de Kasta (Afrika) | Leutnant /Oberleutnant | KC, April 16, 1943 | Brenner join Hauptmann Medicus' Kampfstaffel 'Rommel' later Kampfstaffel "AFRIKA". His infantry Kp. was always in the thick of battle and there to service Rommel. Brenner's Kp. with a platoon of anti-tank guns and a pioneer platoon held the Maknassy Pass in Tunisia. Two opposing regiments were held back for eight days allowing time for the forces in Tunisia to regroup. | |
| 24 | Briel | Georg | Germany | Heeres: Kom. Luftwaffe FlaK Element | Kom. Heeres 606/(Luftwaffe) mot. FlaK Abteilung | Hauptmann /Oberstleutnant | KC, July 23, 1942 | Brenner given charge on March 8, 1941 as Kom. Heeres of the 606./(Luftwaffe) mot. FlaK Abteilung. Was nominated for KC initially in December of 1941 and later received award for holding strongpoint near Bir Hacheim with defeat of breakout by garrison. His unit was called "Rommel's Luftwaffe FlaK" and his Heeres leadership of the Luftwaffe unit brought the battalion 62 aircraft shot down, 1300 prisoners, and some estimates of up 190 tanks KO'd! Briel fought into Tunisia as Kampfgruppe Briel and later in the war as Kom. 200./Panzer-Grenadier Rgt. | |
| 25 | Bruer | Alfred | Germany | Heeres: Artillerie | Kom. 612./sc. Artillerie Rgt. | Oberstleutnant /Oberst | KC, July 30, 1942 | June 1941 named as Kom. 612./sc. Artillerie Rgt./5./le. PD to become in August 1941 21./PD. In July 1942, Bruer took command of 21./PD after injury to von Bismarck and thwarted a massed armor attack by skillful deployment of his artillery with flanking fire. He continued to lead his artillery unit into Tunisia and was taken POW on May 12, 1943. | |
| 26 | Bühligen | Kurt | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | II./JG 2 Geschwader Kommodore JG2 "Richthofen" | Oberfeldwebel /Hauptmann /Major /Oberstleutnant | KC, September 4, 1941, 21 Victories Oberfeldwebel Oakleaves (#413) March 2, 1944, 96 Kills Major Swords (#88) Major and Kommodore of JG 2 | Bühligen's greatest successes came in the air over Tunisia. In the period from December 1942-March 1943 he shot down 40 aircraft! his total aerial victory count amassed to 112; with 24 four engined bombers and more than 700 combat missions being flown. He was captured by the Russians at the end of the war and kept a POW until 1950. | |
| 27 | Bürker | Ulrich | Germany | Heeres: Panzer Stab | General Stab Major Ia 10./PD Oberstleutnant General Stab Oberst Ia 10./PD | Ia 10./PD Oberstleutnant | KC, January 19, 1943 | Under General Fisher, the Kom. of 10.PD, Bürker had his Kampfgruppe Bürker and stormed "Christmas Mountain" (Longstop Hill) to take it from the British and then lose it to a counter attack. He reorganized and then retook the hill and held it until the end of hostilities in Tunisia. He was one of the last to leave Tunisia. He later became the Chief of Staff for General Lanz and the XXII Gebirgsjäger Inf. Korps | |
| 28 | Buschhausen | Friedrich-Wilhelm | Germany | Heeres | Kom. I Batallion/ 69.Pz.Grenadier Rgt./164./le. "AFRIKA" Div. | Major | KC, May 9, 1943 | Sent to Africa as Kom. I Batallion/69.Pz.Grenadier Rgt./164./le. "AFRIKA" Div. during November of 1942. He took command of southern group in battle for Djebel el Ahmeira on December 22, 1942. He retook Hill 290 from superior American forces and they had to be relieved by British because of depletion from Buschausen's unit's efforts. On Christmas Eve frontal position of his charge were overrun but his troops regrouped and regained the positions to win him his KC. He was taken POW by the Americans at the end of actions in Tunisia. | |
| 29 | Cavallero | Ugo | Italy | Italian Army Staff | Chief of Staff generale di Armata | Chief of Staff generale di Armata | KC, February 14, 1942 | Lead Italian forces | |
| 30 | Christl | Georg | Germany | Heeres: Zerstörer Pilot | GK III./ZG 26 Kom. Versuchsgruppe JG10 | Hauptmann /Oberstleutnant | KC, March 18, 1942 | As 7./ZG 26 Staffelkapitän he became an ace of the Zerstörer units. He was transferred from Palermo, Italy to Africa as Gruppenkommandeur of III./ZG 26. He met with success through to the move of segments of the unit to Kastelli, Crete. In July 1943 was moved to a position in the Defense of the Reich... he was attached to JG10 to do testing for heavy weapons to combat the four engined bomber | |
| 31 | Cramer | Hans | Germany | Heeres: Panzer | Kom. PR8/ 15./Panzer Division | Oberstleutnant /General der Panzertruppe | KC, June 27, 1941 | Cramer took Sidi Aziez by surprise on May 16, 1941 and later Fort Capuzzo and was decisive in the capture of the Halfaya Pass. Due to being wounded he was placed in position of Chief of Staff of the General of Mobile Forces then made on October 1, 1942 the General of Mobile Forces and promoted to Generalmajor. Cramer defined and managed the 'Cramer Korps Hauptquartier' on the Don for a very brief time. He was named commanding general of German Africa Korps on March 1, 1943 (an untidy name for our study) and then on May 1 made General der Panzertruppe. Kramer was taken as POW on May 16, 1943 by British forces. | |
| 32 | Craseman | Eduard | Germany | Heeres: FlaK | Kom. Heeres of 33./FlaK Abteilung (mot.) | Oberstleutnant / Generalleutnant | KC, December 26, 1941 Oakleaves (#683) December 18, 1944 Kom. 26./PD | Crasemann too 33./Armored Artillerie Rgt. to Africa on May 10, 1941 incorporated into 15./PD. July-August 1942 he commanded 15./PD until wounds forced his evacuation. | |
| 33 | Crinius | Wilhelm | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | 3./JG 53 | Feldwebel | KC, September 23, 1942 Oakleaves (#127) September 23, 1942 | Both KC's awarded simultaneously as when transferred from Russia he already had 100+ kills, at 114 Victories he was shot down January 13, 1943. POW in England. | |
| 34 | Crüwell | Ludwig | Germany | Heeres: Stab | Kom. General AFRIKAKORPS | General der Panzertruppe | KC, May 14, 1941 Kom. 10./PD Oakleaves (#34) September 11, 1941 Kom. Gen. Maj.11./PD | September 1941, Crüwell was sent to North Africa to command the AFRIKAKORPS segment of the Panzer Armee AFRIKA. Crüwell initially led the defeat against the 'Commonwealth' forces at Sidi Rezegh and later the diversional maneuver with the Navarrini Corps in the 'desert crawl' of Rommel begun on May 26, 1942. Crüwell was shot down on a recce. flight and captured by the British as a POW. | |
| 35 | Dilley | Bruno | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | Gruppenkommandeur of "Immelmann" I.StG2 Kom. Close support School (Metz) | Hauptmann | KC, June 4, 1942, as GK of I./StG 2 Oakleaves (#174), January 8, 1943 as GK of I./StG 2 | Dilley was pilot in the very first Stuka mission of the war as a Staffelkapitän of 3./StG 1 in an attack 15 minutes before the start of the Campaign in Poland via an attack on the Vistula Bridge at Dirschau. He led attacks against Malta and British Med. Fleet shipping beginning in January of 1941. For two months his Stuka Gruppen supported Rommel and then was moved to be engaged in the Balkan Campaign to then in late spring return to again fly support for Rommel's summer offensives. | |
| 36 | Dommes | Wilhelm | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-431 | Kapitänleutnant zur See | KC, December 2, 1942 | ||
| 37 | Drewes | Heinrich | Germany | Heeres | Major d.R. Kdr KradSchtz.Btl 10 | Major d.R. | KC, April 24, 1943 | ||
| 38 | Ehle | Curt | Germany | Heeres: 15./PD | I.Kp./15./Kradshützen Bataillon of 15./Panzer Division to Kom.15./Kradshützen Bataillon and it was renamed 104./Pz.Gren.Brg. Took Kom. 102./Pz.Brigade in September 1944 | Leutnant /Hauptmann /Oberstleutnant | KC, July 27, 1941, I.Kp./15./Kradshützen Bataillon Oakleaves (#673) November 27, 1944, Kom. as Major 102./Pz.Brigade | Ehle led the I.Kompanie /15./Kradshützen Bataillon from its arrival in NA in early April of 1941. Ehle was part of the Kampfgruppe Knabe that stormed across the Via Balbia that took Fort Capuzzo on April 13, 1941. His motorcycle troops fought on into Sollum and the Halfaya Pass. Promoted to Hauptmann he took command of the 15./Kradshützen Bataillon of 15./Panzer Division. This group was attached to Kampfgruppe Geissler on January 21, 1942 and the unit renamed to the 104 Panzer Grenadier Regiment. This unit fought in in horizon crawl around Bir Hacheim & the battle at Got el Ualeb where he was badly wounded in an air strafing attack. He was evacuated to Germany and then upon returning to Africa was again wounded. Later as Kom. 102./Pz.Gren.Brg. at war conclusion he was taken POW by Russians. | |
| 39 | Eppen | Heinrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | Gruppenkommandeur I./StG 3 | /Oberleutnant | KC, KIA June 4, 1942 Kom. I./StG. 3 Posthumously awarded July 5, 1941 | Eppen initially distinguished himself in the Balkan Campaign. He sank a destroyer off the coast of Crete & credited with sinking 50,000 tons of shipping! In September 1941 his unit went to Africa. He succeeded GK Oberstleutnant Sigel as GK of I./StG 3. The unit led close air support action for Panzer Armee AFRIKA in the spring & summer campaigning. The Stukas were used to soften the defenses at Tobruk. Listed as MIA but KIA at Tobruk June 4, 1942 | |
| 40 | Frhr von Esebeck | Hans Karl | Germany | Heeres: Stab | Commander of 15./PD | Generalmajor | KC, July 4, 1940 | Preceded by General-Lieutenant Heinrich von Prittwitz und Gaffron Commander of 15. Panzer-Division April 13, 1941 - May 26, 1941 Succeeded by Generalleutnant Walter Neumann-Silkow | |
| 41 | Everth | Wolfgang-Deiter | Germany | Heeres: Aufk. | Kp. Kom to Kom. Panzer Aufklärungs Abteilung 3/ 5./le. Panzer Rgt. (Div) AFRIKA until it renamed as 21./PD | Hauptmann | KC, July 6, 1942 | Kp. Kom under Wechmar and intimately recommended to take his place. This unit distinguished itself with the nickname of "Hussars of the Battlefield". Easily noticed in photographs by his hair sticking straight up and a smile on his face! | |
| 42 | Ewert | Herbert | Germany | Heeres | Kom. 104./Pz.Gren.Rgt. | Oberstleutnant /Oberst | KC, August 18, 1942 | Ewert was sent to take Kom. of 104./Pz.Gren.Rgt. and on June 20, 1942 stormed the fortifications at Tobruk. His group took the British strongpoint at Deir el Shein to win his KC. He left Africa in October 1942 with dysentery and returned in February 1943 as Kom. of a segment of the HG. He was captured by French forces on May 12, 1943 as a POW. | |
| 43 | Fath | Fridolin | Germany | Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot | Kom. IV/KG z.b.V.1 | Major | KC, December 23, 1942 | ||
| 44 | Fenski | Günther | Germany | Heeres: Panzers | Initially in PR 5 /21./PD with Kramer to Kom. I Batt./ PR 8 with reorganization of panzers attached to Gen.Maj. Neumann Silkow's 15./PD | Major | KC, Posthumously December 31, 1941 | Fenski with Kom. I Kp. Kom. Hans Kummel PR5 under Oberst Cramer were the first panzers to engage the enemy with tanks in NA. Major Fenski took over Kom. from Major Crohn to take the Trigh Capuzzo and on to Sidi Rezegh. He led in the first tank in the column attached to PR8's defensive security line and they surrounded and took a Brig. Gen. 17 officers, 150 men and 35 tanks prisoner. He was KIA in action the next day November 23, 1941. | |
| 45 | Franken | Wilhelm | Germany | Kriegsmarine; U-Boot | U-565 | Kapitänleutnant zur See | KC, April 30, 1943 | Sunk HMS Partridge | |
| 46 | Frenzel | Günther | Germany | Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot | 11./KG z.b.V.1 | Feldwebel | KC, December 23, 1942 | ||
| 47 | Fischer | Erwin | Germany | Luftwaffe: Recce. Pilot | Kom. 1.(F)/Aufklärungs Gruppe 121 | Oberleutnant | KC, April 21, 1941 Oakleaves February 8, 1943 | ||
| 48 | Fischer | Wolfgang | Germany | ||||||
| 49 | Franz | Gothard | Germany | ||||||
| 50 | Franzisket | Ludwig | Germany | ||||||
| 51 | Freytag | Siegfried | Germany | ||||||
| 52 | Frölich | Stefan | Germany | ||||||
| 53 | Fromm | Walter | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK Kom. | Batterie Kom. I./Flak-Rgt. 33 | KC, July 9, 1941 | |||
| 54 | Fullreide | Fritz | Germany | ||||||
| 55 | Fürguth | Helmut | Germany | Heeres: Artillerie | Kom. 221. Art. Reg., Abt. IIa | Oberst | KC, July 28(29), 1942 | Oberst Helmut Fürguth was born on October 21, 1894 in Ehrenbreitstein, Krs. Koblenz. He was awarded the RC on July 28/29.1942. He was the commander of the 221. Art. Reg., Abt. IIa (only the staff was in NA). His artillery support was instrumental in advancing the DAK in Spring of 42. Fürguth is listed MIA since May 08,1943 in Kurland (Latvia). | |
| 56 | Galland | Adolf | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot/GK/Stab | Gesch.Kom. JG 26 General der Jagdflieger | Hauptmann /General der Jagdflieger | KC, July 29, 1940, 1940 Oakleaves, September 24, 1940 Schwerter (Swords), June 21, 1941 Brillants (Diamonds) January 28, 1942 | ||
| 57 | Gause | Alfred | Germany | ||||||
| 58 | Geismann | Johannes | Germany | Luftwaffe: He-111 Pilot | Kom. 1./KG 77 | Leutnant | KC, December 21, 1942 | ||
| 59 | Geissler | Erich | Germany | ||||||
| 60 | Gellert | Christian | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Batterieführer I./FlaK Rgt 43 (mot.) | KC, June 11, 1944 | Gellert was awarded the RK 11th June 1944 for his actions on the 27th May 1942. See notation on Bösel above... | ||
| 61 | Gierga | Kurt | Germany | ||||||
| 62 | di Giorgio | Fedele | Italy | Commander | Commander of Savona Infantry Division | Generale | KC, January 9, 1942 | ||
| 63 | Göbel | Siegfried | Germany | ||||||
| 64 | Götz | Franz | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | 9./JG 53 | Oberleutnant | KC, September 4, 1942 | ||
| 65 | Gruber | Helmut | Germany | Heeres | Adjutant II./Pz.Gren.Rgt 125 | Oberleutnant d.R. | KC, January 15, 1943 | ||
| 66 | Grün | Werner | Germany | ||||||
| 67 | Guggenberger | Friedrich | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-81 Kom. | Oberleutnant (Kapitänleutnant) zur See | KC, December 10. 1941 Oakleaves, January 8, 1943 | Sank British aircraft carrier Ark Royal on November 13, 1941 and did six further patrols (9 total) in the Mediterranean. Manned his U-Boot in Med for 252 days. | |
| 68 | Gürke | Ernst Friedrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: Flak | I./FlaK-Rgt. 43 "AFRIKA" | Major | KC, November 3, 1942 | ||
| 69 | Hachfeld | Wilhelm | Germany | Luftwaffe: Zerstörer Pilot | Kom. III./ZG 2 | Hauptmann | KC, October 29, 1942 | ||
| 70 | Hafner | Anton | Germany | ||||||
| 71 | Halm | Günther | Germany | Heeres: Anti-Tank Gunner | Stab Kp. Pz.GrenRgt.104/ 21.PD | Grenadier to Gefreiter /Leutnant | KC, July 24, 1942 | Anti-Tank gunlayer under Oberst Ewert with 76.2mm (r) ... youngest recipient of KC in NA. His gun commander Leutnant Skubowius... Halm KO'd nine British tanks July 22, 1942 to block advance. | |
| 72 | Hamester | Bernhard | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | Kom. 8./StG 3 | Hauptmann | KC, September 3, 1942 | ||
| 73 | Haut | Erich | Germany | Heeres | Kdr I./Pz.Gren.Rgt 86 | Hauptmann d.R. | KC, May 10, 1943 | ||
| 74 | Haugk | Helmut | Germany | Luftwaffe: Zerstörer Pilot | Pilot III./ZG 26 | Oberfeldwebel | KC, December 21, 1942 | ||
| 75 | Hauptmann | Heinrich | Germany | Heeres | Kom. III. Battalion of 115./Pz. Gren. Rgt. /15./PD | Hauptmann | KC, October 23, 1942 | His performance in the defensive battles at El Alamein during October 23rd till 28th 1942 earned him the Knight's Cross. The main thrust of the British 8th Army offensive came up against the 115th. The fighting was so fierce that the Regiment was nearly wiped out, the Rgt. Commander was missing and Hauptmann himself got wounded. | |
| 76 | Hecht | Max Karl Friedrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Kom. FlaK-Rgt.135 | Oberstleutnant | KC, March 7, 1942 | ||
| 77 | Heidtmann | Hans | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-559 | Kapitänleutnant zur See | Kc, April 12, 1943 | ||
| 78 | Heintze | Erich | Germany | ||||||
| 79 | Helbig | Joachim | Germany | Hauptmann Kom. 4./LG 1 Kom. I./(K) LG I | Hauptmann | KC, November 24, 1940 Hauptmann Kom. 4./LG 1 Oakleaves (#64) January 16, 1942 Kom. I./(K) LG I Swords (#20) September 28, 1942 Kom. I./(K) LG I | |||
| 80 | Heller | Richard | Germany | Luftwaffe: Zerstörer Pilot | III./ZG 26 | Oberfeldwebel | KC, August 21, 1941 | ||
| 81 | von Herff | Maximilian | Germany | ||||||
| 82 | Heymer | Otto | Germany | ||||||
| 83 | Freiherr von der Heydte | Friedrich August | Germany | Luftwaffe: Kom. FJR/D | Kom 1./3 FJR in Crete/Kampfgruppe von der Heydte in Fallschirmbrigade Ramcke/6th Fallschirmjäger Regiment | Oberst /Major | KC, July 9, 1941 Oakleaves (#617) September 30, 1944 | His battalion was the first to enter Canea, Crete for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Led Kampfgruppe von der Heydte in Fallschirmbrigade Ramcke. | |
| 84 | Hissmann | Josef | Germany | ||||||
| 85 | Hoefeld | Robert | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fallsch. | Führer 4./FJR 5 | Hauptmann | KC, May 18, 1943 | He commanded a company of the Sturm Regiment at Crete, Later awarded the RK while serving with FJR5 in Tunisia in 1943 | |
| 86 | Hoffmann von Waldau | Otto | Germany | ||||||
| 87 | Hogeback | Hermann | Germany | ||||||
| 88 | von Homeyer | Friedrich | Germany | Kom. Aufklärungs Kp. 580/ 90./le. "AFRIKA" Div. | Rittmeister | KC, July 6, 1942 | KIA | ||
| 89 | Homuth | Gerhard | Germany | ||||||
| 90 | von Hösslan | Roland | Germany | ||||||
| 91 | Huebner | Arnold | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Gun Layer 3./Flak-Rgt.33 | Gefreiter | KC, March 7, 1942 | ||
| 92 | Hudel | Helmut | Germany | Heeres | Hauptmann Chef 1./Pz.Rgt 7 | Hauptmann | KC, May 27, 1942 Oakleaves (#219) April 2, 1943 | ||
| 93 | Isachsen | Herbert | Germany | ||||||
| 94 | Jäger | Erich | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Platoon Kom. I./Flak-Rgt. 23 (mot.) "AFRIKA" | KC, July 5, 1941 | |||
| 95 | Jähnert | Erhart | Germany | ||||||
| 96 | von Kageneck | Erbo Graf | Germany | ||||||
| 97 | Kelbling | Gerd | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-593 | Kapitänleutnant | Kc, August 18, 1943 | ||
| 98 | Kemnade | Friedrich | Germany | Kriegsmarine: Schnellboots | Kom. 3./Schnellbootsflotille | Kapitänleutnant | KC, July 23, 1942 Oakleaves (#249) May 27, 1943 | ||
| 99 | Kesselring | Albert | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stab | KC, September 30, 1939 Oakleaves (#78) February 25, 1942 Swords (#15) July 18, 1942 Diamonds/Brillant (#14) July 19, 1944 | ||||
| 100 | Kiefer | Eduard-Heinrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: Pz, Aufklärungs | Kp. Fhr. 4./Feld. Btl. “T 5” [Feld-Btl Tunis 5 / Pz.AOK 5] / AU | Hauptmann | KC, May 18, 1943 | Kiefer became the actor Til Kiwe after the war | |
| 101 | Kiehl | Rudolf | Germany | ||||||
| 102 | Kircheim | Heinrich | Germany | ||||||
| 103 | Klärmann | Hans | Germany | ||||||
| 104 | Kleemann | Ulrich | Germany | ||||||
| 105 | Knabe | Gustav Georg | Germany | ||||||
| 106 | Knust | Friedrich-Karl | Germany | Luftwaffe: | Kom. LG 1 | Oberstleutnant | KC, May 3, 1942 | ||
| 107 | Koch | Dietrich | Germany | Heeres: Panzer | Kom. 8./PR 8/ 15./PD | Leutnant | KC, April 13, 1942 | ||
| 108 | von Koehnen | Friedrich | Germany | ||||||
| 109 | König | Herbert | Germany | ||||||
| 110 | Körner | Friedrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | KC, September 6, 1942 | ||||
| 111 | Köster | Alfred | Germany | ||||||
| 112 | Kroseberg | Heinz | Germany | ||||||
| 113 | Kümmel | Johannes | Germany | Oakleaves (#133) October 11, 1942 | |||||
| 114 | Kuhlmey | Kurt | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | Kom. IV./StG 3 | Hauptmann | KC, November 19, 1942 | ||
| 115 | Lang | Rudolf | Germany | Heeres | Kom. Geb. Panzerjäger Abteilung 44 | Oberstleutnant | KC, July 15, 1941 | ||
| 116 | von Liebenstein | Freiherr Kurt | Germany | ||||||
| 117 | Lienau | Detlef | Germany | ||||||
| 118 | Mahlke | Helmut | Germany | ||||||
| 119 | Marcks | Werner | Germany | ||||||
| 120 | Marseille | Hans-Joachim | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | Kom. 3./JG 27 | Oberleutnant | KC, February 22, 1942 50 Kills Oakleaves (#97) June 6, 1942 Swords (#12) June 18, 1942 Diamonds (Brillants) (#4) September 3, 1942 | KC, February 22, 1942 50 Kills | |
| 121 | von Maltzahn | Günther | Germany | Luftwaffe: | Kom. JG 53 | Major | KC, December 30, 1940 Oakleaves. July 24, 1941 | KC, with only 12 kills but for his extraordinary leadership skills Oakleaves at 43 Kills... | |
| 122 | Medicus | Franz | Germany | ||||||
| 123 | Melzer | Reinhard | Germany | ||||||
| 124 | Melzer | Walter | Germany | Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot | Squadron Leader KG z.b.V. 1 | Oberleutnant | KC, December 23, 1942 | ||
| 125 | Menny | Erwin | Germany | ||||||
| 126 | Meyer | Hans-Adolf | Germany | ||||||
| 127 | Meyer | Jochen | Germany | Heeres | Kdr II./Pz.Gren.Rgt "Afrika" | Rittmeister | KC, March 31, 1943 | ||
| 128 | Mickl | Johann | Germany | ||||||
| 129 | Mildebrath | Werner | Germany | ||||||
| 130 | Mischke | Gerd | Germany | ||||||
| 131 | Mossdorf | Martin | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | 3./StG 3 | Oberleutnant | KC, September 3, 1942 | ||
| 132 | Mrousek | Ewald | Germany | Zg.Fhr. 2./Feld.Btl. “T 1” [Feld-Btl. Tunis 1 / PzAOK 5] Feld-Bataillon 1 was part of the Infanterie-Regiment Tunis | Stabsfeldwebel | KC, March 24, 1943 | |||
| 133 | Müller | Gerhard | Germany | ||||||
| 134 | Müller | Gottlob | Germany | ||||||
| 135 | Müncheberg | Joachim | Germany | ||||||
| 136 | Nehring | Walter Karl | Germany | ||||||
| 137 | Neuffer | Georg | Germany | ||||||
| 138 | Panzenhagen | Albert | Germany | ||||||
| 139 | von Pohl | Maximilian Ritter | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stab | General der Fleiger Stab: Liaison to Italian Air Force / General der Flieger und Kommandierender General der Luftwaffe in Mittelitalien | General | KC, June 15, 1944 | ||
| 140 | Ponath | Gustav | Germany | ||||||
| 141 | Quednow | Fritz | Germany | Luftwaffe: HG | Chef 5./Jäg.Rgt „HG“ | Hauptmann | KC, April 5, 1943 | Quednow KIA 27.04.1943 near Tunis | |
| 142 | Ramcke | Bernard Hermann | Germany | Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Rgt. Luftwaffenjäger-Brigade 1 or Fallschirmjäger-Ramcke Brigade | KC, August 21, 1941 Oakleaves (#145) November (13) 21, 1942 | ||||
| 143 | Räpprager | Ernst Willi | Germany | ||||||
| 144 | von Ravenstein | Hans | Germany | ||||||
| 145 | Redlich | Karl-Wolfgang | Germany | Squadron Leader I./JG 27 | KC, July 9, 1941 | ||||
| 146 | Reinert | Ernst-Wilhelm | Germany | ||||||
| 147 | Reissmann | Werner | Germany | ||||||
| 148 | Riepold | Josef-Otto | Germany | ||||||
| 149 | Rochel (Rocholl) | Rolf | Germany | Heeres: Panzer | Kp. Kom. PR5/21./PD | Oberleutnant /Hauptmann | KC, December 2, 1942 Oakleaves (#287) August 31, 1943 Posthumously, Kom. III./Gren.Rgt. 569 | ||
| 150 | Rödel | Gustav Siegfried | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | 4./JG 27 | ||||
| 151 | Rommel | Erwin Johannes Eugen | Germany | KC, May 27, 1940 as Generalmajor 7./Panzer Division in France Oak Leaves (#10) March20, 1942 Generalleutnant of the Deutsches Afrika Korps. Swords (#6) January 20, 1942 Diamonds/Brillanten: | |||||
| 152 | Rosenbaum | Helmut | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-73 | Kapitänleutnant zur See | KC, August 12, 1942 | Sunk HMS Eagle | |
| 153 | Rowohl | Willi | Germany | Heeres | Zugführer i. d. 2./Schtz.Rgt 115 | Oberfeldwebel | KC, July 12, 1942 | ||
| 154 | Rudorffer | Erich | Germany | ||||||
| 155 | Sauer | Hans | Germany | Luftwaffe: Pilot | LG 1 | Leutnant | KC, July 5, 1941 | ||
| 156 | Schäfer | Heinrich | Germany | Luftwaffe | Zugführer i. d. 4./Jäg.Rgt „HG“ | Oberfeldwebel | KC, August 8, 1944 | ||
| 157 | Schairer | Hartmunt | Germany | ||||||
| 158 | Scheid | Johannes | Germany | Luftwaffe:HG | Zugführer i. d. 11./Gren.Rgt 1 „HG“ | Oberfeldwebel | KC, June 21, 1943 | ||
| 159 | Schlund | Franz | Germany | Luftwaffe: Radio Telegraphist | Radio Telegraphist / Wireless operator onboard with 4./(K)LG 1 | Oberfeldwebel | KC, August 30, 1941 | ||
| 160 | Schonder | Heinrich | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-77 | Kapitänleutnant zur See | KC, August 19, 1942 | ||
| 161 | Schöneboom | Dietrich | Germany | Kriegsmarine: U-Boot | U-431 | Kapitänleutnant zur See | KC, October 20, 1943 | ||
| 162 | Schmid | Joseph | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stab HG | Generalmajor Kdr der in Tunesien eingesetzten Teile der Division „General Göring“ [also called Kampfgruppe Schmid] | Generalmajor Kdr der in Tunesien | KC, May 21, 1943 | ||
| 163 | Schmitt | Artur | Germany | ||||||
| 164 | Schreiber | Kurt | Germany | Luftwaffe: HG | Kdr II./Gren.Rgt 1 „HG“ | Hauptmann | KC, June 21, 1943 | ||
| 165 | Schroer | Werner | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | Kom. II./JG 27 Kom. JG 3 | Hauptmann /Major | KC, October 20, 1942 Kom. 8./JG 27 Oakleaves (#268) August 2, 1943 Hauptmann Kom. II./JG 27 Swords (#144) April 19, 1945 Major Kom. JG 3 | ||
| 166 | Schulte-Heuthaus | Hermann | Germany | Heeres | Kom. Kradschützen Btl.25 (DAK) | Oberstleutnant | KC, January 23, 1942 | ||
| 167 | Schultz | Otto | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | 4./JG 51 Staffelkapitän 6./JG 51 | Oberfeldwebel /Hauptmann | KC, March 14, 1943 after 50th Victory | With 36 kills he came to Africa. Schultz run of success in Tunisia started in December 1942. By the end in Tunisia he had added another 20 with several more unconfirmed. He went on to aerial combat over Italy and in support of the Romanian oilfields. Schultz completed the war with 73 victories and more than 800 combat missions. | |
| 168 | Schultz | Otto | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | II./JG 27 | Oberfeldwebel /Oberleutnant | KC, February 22, 1942 after 400 Combat missions and 51 Victories (42 in NA) | Three in a day over Sollum on October 30, He was accidentally shot down by an Italian fighter pilot on December 19, 1941!KIA/Listed as MIA June 17, 1942 | |
| 169 | Schultz-Dickow | Fritz | Germany | Luftwaffe: Zerstörer Pilot | Kom. 8./ZG 26 | Oberleutnant | KC, March 7, 1942 | ||
| 170 | Schwabach | Theodor | Germany | ||||||
| 171 | Schweiger | Franz | Germany | ||||||
| 172 | Seidemann | Hans | Germany | ||||||
| 173 | Seidensticker | August | Germany | ||||||
| 174 | Semrau | Paul | Germany | Luftwaffe: Nachtjäger Pilot | Kom. 3./NJG 2 | Hauptmann | KC, October 7, 1942 Oakleaves (#841) April 17, 1945 | ||
| 175 | Senfft von Pilsach | Freiherr Ott-Friedrich | Germany | ||||||
| 176 | Sigel | Walter | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | Kom. I./StG 76 Kom. StG 3 | Hauptmann /Oberstleutnant | KC, July 21, 1940 Hauptmann Kom. I./StG 76 Oakleaves (#116) September 2, 1942 Oberstleutnant Kom. StG 3 | ||
| 177 | von Sponeck | Theodor Graf | Germany | ||||||
| 178 | Stahlschmidt | Hans-Arnold | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | Staffelkapitän II./JG 27 | ||||
| 179 | Steinhausen | Günther | Germany | Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot | Kom. 1./JG 27 | Feldwebel | KC, November 3, 1942 | ||
| 180 | Stiefelmayer | Otto | Germany | ||||||
| 181 | Stolz | Harald | Germany | Kradschützen Btl. 43 (DAK) | |||||
| 182 | Stotten | Hans Günther | Germany | ||||||
| 183 | Straehler-Pohl | Günther | Germany | ||||||
| 184 | Streich | Johannes | Germany | ||||||
| 185 | Struckmann | Rudolf | Germany | ||||||
| 186 | Stry | Herbert | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot | III./StG 3 | Oberleutnant | KC, September 24, 1942 | ||
| 187 | Stumpf | Werner | Germany | ||||||
| 188 | Toll | Otto | Germany | Heeres: Pioneer | d.R. Zugführer im Pi.Btl 200 | Leutnant | KC, June 10, 1941 | KC for actions in Tunisia | |
| 189 | Ubben | Kurt | Germany | ||||||
| 190 | Voigtsberger | Heinrich | Germany | ||||||
| 191 | Wahl | Wolfgang | Germany | ||||||
| 192 | von Waldau | Otto Hoffmann | Germany | Luftwaffe: Stab | Fliegerführer "AFRIKA" | Generalleutnant | KC, June 28, 1942 | ||
| 193 | Walter | Domenikus | Germany | Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot | Squadron Leader IV./KG z.b.V. 1 | Oberfeldwebel | KC, December 23, 1942 | ||
| 194 | Walter | Kurt | Germany | ||||||
| 195 | Freiherr von Wechmar | Irnfried | Germany | ||||||
| 196 | Wehmeyer | Alfred | Germany | Luftwaffe: Zerstörer Pilot | Kom. 7./ZG 26 | Oberleutnant | KC, September 4, 1942 | ||
| 197 | Weigand | Karl | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Kom. 2./FlaK-Rgt. 18 (mot.) | Oberleutnant | KC, May 9, 1942 | ||
| 198 | Wendt | Wilhelm | Germany | ||||||
| 199 | Westphal | Siegfried | Germany | ||||||
| 200 | Witte | Heinrich | Germany | Luftwaffe: FlaK | Richtkanonier i. d. 7./Flak-Rgt „HG“ | Obergefreiter | KC, May 18, 1943 | ||
| 201 | Witzig | Rudolf | Germany | Luftwaffe: Falsch. | Korps-Fallsch.Pi.Btl.11 | Major | KC, May 10, 1940 | ||
| 202 | Wolz | Alwin | Germany | ||||||
| 203 | Wuppermann | Siegfried | Germany | Kriegsmarine: Schnellboots | Kom. S-56 3./Schnellbootsflotille | Oberleutnant zur See | KC, August 3, 1941 Oak Leaves (#226) April 14, 1943 | ||
| 204 | Zahn | Dr. Eberhard | Germany | ||||||
| 205 | Zecherle | Konrad | Germany | Heeres: Panzer Aufklärungs | Panzeraufklärungs– Abteilung 90(formed [not fully realized] March 1943 from Aufkl.Abt 3 (mot) / 21. Pz.Div) Zugführer i. d. 1./Pz.Aufkl.Abt.90 /90./le."AFRIKA" Div. | Leutnant d.R. | KC, May 10, 1943 | ||
| 206 | Ziegler | Heinz | Germany | Heeres: Stab | Generalleutnant, im Stab d. 5. Pz.Armee [stellv. Fhr] und Fhr. der Kgr Ziegler | Generalleutnant, im Stab d. 5. Pz.Armee | KC, April 16, 1943 | ||
*The problem I have in properly defining Knight's Cross Holders in North Africa is the definite need for inclusion of, Oberleutnant (Kapitänleutnant) zur See Friedrich Guggenberger, a KC with Oakleaves recipient Kptn. of U-81 which sank the Ark Royal whom should also be included as far as I would consider... "Nacht"
Knights Cross Award Levels (As received by associated members of North African Campaign)
| Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten) | |
| Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) | |
| Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz)
Created on September 1, 1939, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) was awarded for outstanding bravery in combat. It was open to all soldiers and to whatever that soldier's rank. Altogether, there were only 7,358 (alternate source 7,318) Knight's Crosses awarded during World War II, 4,682 of which went to the Heer (army) and 1,784 to the Luftwaffe. Alternate sources show different totals and distribution... Heeres: 4,785, Luftwaffe: 1,785, Kriegsmarine: 318 and Waffen SS: 460 with a total award difference of 50 honorees during WWII.
Higher levels of the award were introduced during the war: Oakleaves (June 3, 1940), awarded 890 times (including 246 to the Luftwaffe), Swords (June 21, 1941), awarded 160 times (including 52 times to the Luftwaffe), Diamonds (July 15, 1941) awarded just 27 times (including 12 times to the Luftwaffe) and finally Oakleaves in Gold with Swords (December 29, 1944), awarded on only one occasion to Hans-Ulrich Rudel, a Stuka pilot of the Luftwaffe, was the only recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. This highest level of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) was only to be allowed to be given on twelve occasions and it was awarded only on this one instance to this very special honoree.
Note: See Wikipedia Article on Knight's Cross / Ritterkreuz for a more complete explanation of the five possible levels of this award and award types, complete descriptions, and more... AANA Member NACHT
Hauptman Hans-Joachim Marseille's Awards...
Rommel's Pour le Merite and Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds (mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
The Knights Cross Presentation / Holder
Knight's Cross Award Breakdown
DAK Award Winners... Ritterkreuz awards for actions from February 1941 through May 1943
AFRIKAKORPS' Highest Level Honorees
Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz
Two DAK Awardees: Highest Level / Award Date
Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Marseille Staffelkapitan 3./J.G.27: 3 September, 1942
Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel Oberbefehlshaber, Heeresgruppe Afrika : 11 March, 1943
Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Marseille... leads the list...
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Diamonds / Ritterkreuz mit Brillants officially named as the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
Promoted to Staffelkapitan (Hauptman) and a final total of 158 victories in the air. Commander of 3./JG27
(13 December, 1919-30 September, 1942)
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten:
Fourth person to be awarded the Diamonds. 2 September, 1942 for 126 aerial victories. Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
12th recipient on 18 June, 1942 for 101 aerial victories.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
97th awarded serviceman on 6 June, 1942 for 97 aerial victories.
Ritterkreuz
Received 22 February, 1942 for 50th aerial victory.
Marseille's 'claimed' Diamonds on display at the Luftwaffen Museum, Uetersen, Germany. Marseille's brother, Rudolph, purports that Hans-Joachim was never personally presented the "Brillanten" nor was it delivered to his family after his death... allegedly it is retained at the Luftwaffen Museum...
Actually shown above is Werner Molder's (another Luftwaffe recipient's) cassette for the presentation of the Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds... in Luftwaffe gray-blue as would be the requirement for the leather to red for Army, and Blue for Naval awards as the Ritterkreuzurkunde color differentiation specified. This cassette would be similar to that which should have been delivered to Marseille or his family along with the Urkunde document...
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten
Second and only other DAK member to be awarded this honor...
Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, Oberbefehlshaber, Heeresgruppe Afrika
(15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944)
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillanten:
Presented on 11 March, 1943 as the 6th recipient as the Generalfeldmarschall Afrika (the day before he left Africa)
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern:
Again, Rommel was the 6th recipient being awarded on 20 January, 1942 as General der Panzertruppen of Panzer Gruppe Afrika.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub:
Tenth award for this honor as acting Generalleutnant of the Deutsches Afrika Korps on March 20, 1941.
Ritterkreuz:
Received award 26 May, 1940 as Generalmajor 7./Panzer Division in France.
Rommel's Official photo as seen in Signal after the award...
Rommel's actual cassette... Document holder... A simile photo to show red leather color that would have been on his "Heeres"
cassette... Rommel's Actual Knight's Cross with Diamonds Award document...
Rommel's very own Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillanten
Bibliography
Walther-Peer Fellgiebel (2000), Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5
AANA Members Comments and Additions