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Koppe, Rudolf (Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 23)

Date of birth:
April 7th, 1908 (Schildau/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
May 25th, 1995 (Hildesheim/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
April 1st, 1929: Polizei-Wachtmeister;
April 20th, 1934: Polizei-Oberwachtmeister;
August 1st, 1935: Unterfeldwebel (Heer);
October 1st, 1937: Feldwebel;
January 1st, 1940: Oberfeldwebel;
May 1st, 1940: Stabsfeldwebel;
September 1st, 1940: Leutnant mit RDA vom 1-10-1934 (462);
January 18th, 1942: Oberleutnant m.W.v. 1-11-1941 (727);
January 1st, 1943: Hauptmann mit RDA vom 1-10-42 (47a);
August 1st,1944: Major (65).

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 23, 23. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 18th, 1944
Hauptmann Koppe was commander of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung of the 23. Panzer-Division when it was moved to Poland in the summer of 1944. His Abteilung was the first to detrain and it immediately conducted reconnaissance ahead of the main body of the division. On the 27.07.1944 Koppe and his Abteilung were particularly successful. They scouted out opposing tank formations (even destroying 5 with their organic AT weapons), repelled a Soviet infantry battalion and held up hostile forces until they could be dealt with by more powerful units. Koppe would receive the Knight’s Cross later that year for his exemplary performance in this time.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 23, 23. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 6th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 4th, 1944
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 24th, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 23, 23. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
May 15th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
2. Kompanie, Kradschützen-Bataillon 23, 23. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 28th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 25th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 1st, 1942

Bronze version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 23rd, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 13th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre

Sources

Photo