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Loch, Emil Herbert

Date of birth:
August 5th, 1886 (Oberstein-Birkenfeld/Oldenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
October 28th, 1976 (Landau/Palatinate, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant
Unit:
Kommandeur 17. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
April 22nd, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 17. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
June 16th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Loch received the Knight’s Cross…

“Generalleutnant Loch, commander of an Infanterie-Division, forced crossings over the Aisne river and Ardennes Canal in the face of ferocious enemy resistance. All while fighting with an unwavering spirit, he created a bridgehead large enough to permit the immediate construction of a bridge capable of supporting support Panzers. This enabled a Panzer-Division to cross over to the southern bank on the very first day of battle. Generalleutnant Loch thereby decisively influenced the success of an operational breakthrough as a result of both his outstanding devotion to duty as well as the capable leadership of his Division, which was itself permeated with his exemplary attacking spirit.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 11th, 1944
The Soviets again did not attack south of Pskov yesterday. Since 31 March 1944, German troops under the overall command of General of Artillery Loch and led by Lieutenant General Matzky have prevented the breakthrough attempts of far superior enemy infantry and tank units and inflicted high human and material losses to the enemy.
Wehrmachtbericht

Sources

  • Photo: TITLE
  • - Verleihungsurkunde RK
    - Die Tapfersten

Photo