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Recknagel, Hermann (General der Infanterie)

Date of birth:
June 18th, 1892 (Strauchmühle/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:
January 23rd, 1945 (near Lodz, Poland)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
Unit:
Kommandierender General, XXXXII. Armee Korps
Awarded on:
October 23rd, 1944
Awarded for his leadership of the XXXXII. Armee-Korps during the Soviet summer offensive in the sector of Heeresgruppe Mitte. Recknagel’s outstanding command skills helped to ensure that it was able to avoid encirclement following the collapse of Heeresgruppe Mitte, and later that the frontline could be consolidated in the great bend of the Vistula.

104th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 111. Infanterie-Division, XXIX. Armee-Korps, 6. Armee, Heeresgruppe A
Awarded on:
November 6th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for his command of the Korpsgruppe Recknagel in August 1943, a time in which it fought on the southern sector of the Eastern front. Up until the 30.08.1943, this formation was able to destroy a total of 273 Soviet tanks around Kamyschewacha, Many and Uspenskaja, but were unable to prevent the encirclement of the XXIX. Armee-Korps against the coast of the Azov sea. Under Recknagel’s leadership the Kampfgruppe 111./336. Infanterie-Division was able to break out of the encirclement in the direction of Mariupol-Melitopol on the morning of the 31.08.1943.

319th Award.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 54, 18. Infanterie-Division, 6. Armee
Awarded on:
August 5th, 1940
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Awarded for his command of the lead elements of the Infanterie-Regiment 54 during the fighting for Dunkirk on 03.06.1940. By his leadership it was possible to subdue the enemy resistance and complete the capture of the city on the following day.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 111. Infanterie-Division, XXIX. Armee-Korps, 6. Armee, Heeresgruppe A
Awarded on:
February 11th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 54, 18. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 30th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 54,18. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
September 22nd, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 54,18. Infanterie-Division, 6. Armee
Awarded on:
June 8th, 1940
In the recent fierce fighting around the fortress Dunkirk excelled above all an infantry regiment under his commander colonel Recknagel and an infantry battalion under its commander Major Schaller.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
Unit:
Kommandierender General, XXXXII. Armee Korps
Awarded on:
August 19th, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht
In the fierce defensive battles in the great bend of the Vistula, the under the command of General of Infantry Recknagel standing Franco-Sudeten 88th Infantry Division, led by Major General Graf von Rittberg and the Hessian-Moselle 72nd Infantry Division under the leadership of Major General Hohn, have excelled themselves by showing unshakeable courage in battle and bold recklessness.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
Unit:
Kommandierender General, XXXXII. Armee Korps
Awarded on:
September 9th, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht
In the Vistula bridgehead west of Baranov, troops under the command in chief of General of Panzer Troops Balck, and commanded by the Generals of Panzer Troops Breith and Gräser as well as the General of the Infantry Recknagel prevented the break out last month of massed Soviet forces and narrowed the enemy bridgehead by counterattacks successfully.

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