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Roman, Freiherr von, Rudolf

Date of birth:
November 19th, 1893 (Bayreuth/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
February 18th, 1970 (Schernau-Dettelbach/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
1st August 1912: Fahnenjunker;
1st August 1914: Leutnant (Patent 30th October 1912);
?: Oberleutnant;
?: Hauptmann;
?: Major;
1st August 1936: Oberstleutnant;
1st March 1939: Oberst;
1st September 1941: Generalmajor;
1st October 1942: Generalleutnant;
1st November 1942: General der Artillerie.

Career:
1st August 1912: Entered service as Fahnenjunker;
1st August 1914: Commissioned/assigned to bayr.6.Feld-Artillerie-Regiment;
1st January 1937: Assigned to OKH;
1st September 1939: Kommandeur Artillerie-Regiment 10;
23rd September 1939: Assigned to OKH;
17th November 1939: Kommandeur Artillerie-Regiment 17;
15th November 1940: Arko 3;
1st December 1941: Kommandeur 35.Infanterie-Division;
10th September 1942 - April 1945: Kommandierender General XX.Armee-Korps.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 5th September 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 14th August 1916.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor
Unit:
Artillerie-Kommandeur 3
Awarded on:
December 19th, 1941

Award 33/21.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur 35.Infanterie-Division / V.Armee-Korps / 4.Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
February 19th, 1942
After falling back from the Istra Position in December 1941 the Germans sought to take up a new defensive stance in the not-yet built Kalischna position. However the Soviets wished to give their enemy no rest, and on the 13.12.1941 they attacked the town of Gorki with strong forces, including 10 tanks. The loss of Gorki would have necessitated the abandonment of the entire position by the V. Armee-Korps. In response General von Roman decided to remain with the German covering force in Gorki in order to personally direct the defense. Under his leadership the defending German forces repelled multiple Soviet attacks, destroyed 5 hostile tanks and only then pulled back in the evening under their own terms. Roman’s leadership ensured the safe withdrawal of the greater part of the covering force, including 7 light artillery pieces and 10 damaged 3.7 cm Pak.

The successful stand of Roman’s force permitted the V. Armee-Korps to conduct an orderly withdrawal back to the Seestra position. For his deeds here Roman would receive the Knight’s Cross.

877th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Artillerie
Unit:
Kommandierender General XX.Armee-Korps / 2.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
October 28th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for the distinguished command of his XX. Armee-Korps during the heavy defensive battle around Gomel in September 1943.

313th Award.

Sources

Photo