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Mitschke, Martin (Gren.Rgt.(mot.) 200)

Date of birth:
October 10th, 1920 (Crostau/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
November 19th, 2008 (Schongau/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Martin Mitschke finally reached the rank of Leutnant der Reserve.
He served 1940-42 with Schtz.Rgt.108 of the 14.Pz.Div., March 41 in Hungary and April 41 active in Yugoslavia before the unit took part in the campaign against Russia (ao. Cholm. Rostow. Mius).

June 42 the Div. became part of the 6th Army on its way to Stalingrad, where the Div. was destroyed Jan.43. Mitschke did not share the fate of his comrades as he served 1944 with Gren.Rgt.(mot)200 of the 90.Pz.Gren.Div., reformed July 43 after its predecessor (9O.Afrika-Div.) was destroyed in Tunisia.

The Div. was July-Sept.43 based on Sardinia, Corsica and Elba and served the rest of the war in Italy (Adria, Monte Cassino, Rome, Florence, Western Alps, Rimini, Bologna, Po).

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:
2./ Schützen-Regiment 108
Awarded on:
January 12th, 1942
WIA 3 times : 15.05.1940 + 25.08.1941 + 16.10.1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:
2./ Schützen-Regiment 108
Awarded on:
February 27th, 1942
Signed by the temporary CO. of the 14.Pz.Div., Colonel Otto Kohlermann
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:
2./ Schützen-Regiment 108
Awarded on:
March 13th, 1942
Signed by the CO. of the 14.Pz.Div. Gen.Maj. Friedrich Kühn

Bronze version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
2./ Gren.Rgt. (mot.) 200
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1944
Signed by the CO. of the 90.Pz.Gren.Div., Gen.Maj. Ernst Baade
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
2./ Gren.Rgt. (mot.) 200
Awarded on:
July 31st, 1944
Signed by the CO. of Gren.Rgt.(mot.) 200, Heinrich Baron von Behr

Bronze version.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
2./ Gren.Rgt. (mot.) 200
Awarded on:
August 12th, 1944
Signed by Baron von Behr
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
Zugführer 2. / Grenadier-regiment 200 (motorisiert)
Awarded on:
October 16th, 1944
The following letter of commendation (written on the 10.10.1944 by Generalleutnant Baade) describes the action that would lead to Mitschke receiving the Knight’s Cross…

“On the night of the 27-28.09.1944 Feldwebel Mitschke launched an attack with his Zug on his own initiative against the enemy forces that had penetrated into Savignano. Although the enemy resisted here with heavy fire they were eventually driven out. As a result of his bravery and decisiveness, this key position (of importance to the whole Division) was thereby held.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:
1./ MG.Btl. 7
Awarded on:
May 15th, 1940
WIA 15.05.1940
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Sources

Photos