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Esch, Albin (Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85)

Date of birth:
June 22nd, 1901 (Dieburg/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:
March 3rd, 1959 (Schorndorf/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
01.12.1924 : Oberschützen
23.09.1927 : Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier
01.12.1927 : Gefreiter
01.04.1928 : Unteroffizier
01.04.1930 : Unterfeldwebel
01.12.1930 : Oberfeldwebel
09.09.1934 : Leutnant
20.01.1935 : Oberleutnant
01.08.1935 : Hauptmann
20.11.1940 : Major
04.08.1942 : Oberstleutnant
01.02.1943 : Oberst (RDA: -83-).

Career:
September 1st, 1939: Chef, 14. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 41;
January 26th, 1940: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 41;
September 9th, 1940: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 85;
October 5th, 1940: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85;
April 16th, 1942: Kommandeur, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 206.

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Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1940
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85, 5. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
June 13th, 1941
The following wartime excerpt describes why Esch would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Major Esch has fought at the head of his Bataillon while showing great devotion to duty. With this unit he captured the northern slope of the Istibei on the 06.04.1941, held it against heavy enemy counterattacks for 17 hours and then captured every single remaining enemy bunker on the whole mountain in bitter combat on the following day.”

According to a evaluation report, the awarding took place on June 22nd, 1941.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1942
Cross to the Order for Bravery 4th Class
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 15th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1943
Ärmelband Kreta
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1944
with oak leaves
Vapaudenristin 2.luokka (VR 2)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 206, 7. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
January 13th, 1945
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Sources

Photo