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Gericke, Walter

Date of birth:
December 23rd, 1907 (Bilderlahe/Hannover, Germany)
Date of death:
October 19th, 1991 (Alsfeld/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Walter Gericke was involved in the invasion of the Netherlands as from May 10th, 1940 and took part in the capture of a bridge in Dordrecht. In 1941 he took part in the invasion of Crete and in 1944 the defence of Anzio. He reached the rank of Oberst. After the Second World War he served with the Bundeswehr reaching there the rank of Generalmajor.

Promotions:
August 31st, 1935: Oberleutnant der Polizei;
?: Hauptmann;
?: Major;
?: Oberstleutnant;
?: Oberst;
1956: Oberst (Bundeswehr);
September 12th, 1961: Brigadegeneral;
September 25th,1963: Generalmajor.

Career:
1929 - 1933: Polizei, Republik Weimar;
1933: Ordnungspolizei;
?: Kompanieführer, Regiment „General Göring";
?: Chef 4. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1;
?: Stab, Fliegerführer Drontheim;
?: Kommandeur, IV. Bataillon, Luftlande-Sturmregiment 1;
?: Kommandeur, Ausbildungs-Bataillon ?;
September 1943: Kommandeur II. / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6;
October 1943: Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 11;
April 5th, 1945: Kommandeur, 21. Fallschirmjäger-Division;
May 8th, 1945 - November 1946: Brits Krijgsgevangene;
1956-1958: Luftlande-/Lufttransportschule Altenstadt;
October 1st, 1962 - March 31st, 1965: Kommandant, 1. Luftlande-Division (Bundeswehr)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
IV. Bataillon, Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 14th, 1941
Awarded the Knight’s Cross for his efforts during the fighting at Maleme airfield in the battle of Crete. He belonged to the 4 officers that had a decisive share in the capture of the vital Hill 107.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 11, 4. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 17th, 1944
Awarded for his Regiment’s defensive achievements during the fighting for the Futa Pass and the area to the north of it. The German defenders were able to hold back the advance of US troops to Bologna and the Po valley for several weeks.

585th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Awarded on:
March 25th, 1965
Großes Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der BRD

Sources

Photo