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Colli, Robert

Date of birth:
June 27th, 1898 (Vienna, Austria)
Date of death:
July 22nd, 1980 (Gmunden/Upper Austria, Austria)
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

10.05.1916: Ersatz-Bataillon - Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 14
02.12.1916-01.02.1917: Reserve-Offiziersschule Jägerndorf
02.02.1917: Instructor - Ersatz-Bataillon - Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 80
29.04.1917: Fähnrich
29.04.1917: Zugskommandant - Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 80
Zugskommandant - Sturm-Bataillon Nr. 9
16.05.1918: Leutnant
16.09.1918: ill sent to the Lazarett
24.11.1918: retired
05.02.1923: entered the AJR 12
04.07.1923: II. Jahrgang des OffzAnwKurses/HSch
01.08.1924: Wachtmeister - AJR 12
10.08.1925: Fähnrich [20] - AJR 12
30.01.1926: Leutnant [11] - AJR 12
30.01.1926: Oberleutnant
01.07.1932: IIII./ AJR 7
07.10.1934: awarded the Silbernes Verdienstzeichen for his behaviour during the Juliputsch 1934
24.06.1936: Hauptmann (TrpO, IR 14)
14.03.1938: entered the Wehrmacht as Hauptmann - RDA 01.08.1934 [86] - Inf.Reg. 133
01.08.1939: Major [16]
10.05.1941: Kommandeur Kraftfahrzeug-Instandsetzungs-Abteilungsstab 592
01.03.1942: Oberstleutnant [137]
26.03.1942: Kommandeur - II./ Inf.Reg. 95
20.05.1942: WIA sent to the Lazarett
29.08.1942: Kommandeur - I. / Inf.Reg. 185
14.10.1942: Führer - Infanterie-Regiment 187
10.11.1942: Kommandeur - Grenadier-Regiment 547
08.08.1943: Oberst - RDA 1.7.1943 [36a]
21.02.1944: Führer-Reserve OKH, D.r. WK XVII / Lazarett
00.01.1945: Kommandeur - Grenadier-Ersatz-Regiment 557
00.05.1945-00.06.1945: US POW

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, Grenadier-Regiment 547, 83. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
August 3rd, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Reigment 547, 83.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
February 19th, 1944
On the 08.02.1944 Oberst Colli’s Regiment was struck by a Russian attack while in its positions northwest of Nowossokolniki. The Soviets penetrated the German line near Podgornoje Lake in battalion strength along with the support of 9 tanks. This force advanced into Bykowo in order to reach the crossroads at Runowo.

Bykowo was the village containing Oberst Colli’s regimental command post, and in the ensuing battle he was the soul of the resistance. He jumped onto the lead enemy tank, tore open the unlocked hatch and eliminated the crew with his pistol. Oberst Colli was later badly wounded at around 15:00 while engaging a second tank, however he was brought back to safety by his men. His heavily injured leg was later amputated.

Oberst Colli would receive the Knight’s Cross later that month for the extreme bravery that he demonstrated during this action.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
June 14th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
December 11th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, Kraftfahrzeug-Instandsetzungs-Abteilungsstab 592
Awarded on:
June 12th, 1941
in silver
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
November 11th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
February 29th, 1940
Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, Grenadier-Regiment 547, 83. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
October 20th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, Grenadier-Regiment 547, 83. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
February 18th, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, Grenadier-Regiment 547, 83. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
September 26th, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
April 9th, 1941
Oberbefehlshaber der 16. Armee
Anerkennungsurkunde
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 547, 83. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
February 1944
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
IIII./ AJR 7
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
IIII./ AJR 7
Awarded on:
October 7th, 1934
Silberne Verdienstzeichen der Republik Österreich

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