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Ochs, Heinrich

Date of birth:
April 19th, 1915 (Ettlingen/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:
October 12th, 1943 (Mikhaylovka/Volgograd Oblast, Soviet Union)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 1st, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 30th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 28th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 11th, 1942
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
Zugführer 1. / Panzejäger-Abteilung 101 / 101.Jäger-Division / XXXXIV.Armee-Korps / 17.Armee / Heeresgruppe A
Awarded on:
June 2nd, 1943
The following excerpt from a divisional order-of-the-day (dated 05.06.1943) describes why Ochs would receive the Knight’s Cross…

“Despite being formally employed as a Panzerjäger, Oberfeldwebel Ochs initiated an infantry counterthrust on his own initiative and was able to smash a major hostile attack in close combat.

In the early morning hours of the 06.04.1943 enemy infantry managed to capture a strongpoint on the railroad embankment north of Krymskaja and thereafter thrust along the embankment up to the German main line. From here they threatened to cut off the Bataillon z.b.V. 500 (positioned in the swampy ground east of the railroad) from its connection to the rear. There also was the possibility of two other Kampfgruppen being either rolled up from the flank or engaged from the rear. Recognizing this danger, Oberfeldwebel Ochs mustered a few men from his Zug as well as some Jäger on his own initiative. He then counterattacked the enemy with this small band, which was inspired by his daring bravery. After a three hour close-quarter battle the much larger and bitterly defending enemy force was pushed back 2 km, and the German strongpoint was once again recaptured.

This decisive success by Oberfeldwebel Ochs made such a strong impression on the enemy that they did not attempt to swing the tide of battle by sending in their own strong reserve forces that were standing by to expand the penetration at the time.”

1821st award.
Preliminary Award Document d.d. June 4th 1943.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 4th, 1943
Crucea Serviciul Credincios III.Class
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer 1. / Panzejäger-Abteilung 101 / 101.Jäger-Division / XXXXIV.Armee-Korps / 6.Armee / Heeresgruppe A
Awarded on:
December 30th, 1943
Awarded in recognition of his accomplishments in October of 1943, during his Division’s defensive battles between Zaporozhye and Melitopol in the area Wassiljewka-Michailowka. He was described by his Divisional commander as one of his best young officers.

360th Award.
Preliminary Award Certificate dd January 4th 1944, posthumous award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

  • Photo 1: Hermann Historica
  • Photo: Hermann Historica
  • - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
    - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
    - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
    - Auction 47 Hermann Historica
    - Onderscheidingen en documenten voor Ritterkreuz en Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz
    - Hermann Historica
    - Weinmann, W., Die 101. Jäger-Division in Dokumenten, Berichten und Bildern, Traditionsverband Soziales Hilfswerk, Offenburg, Germany, 1966

Photo