TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Wendenburg, Gerhard (Panzer-Abteilung 67)

Date of birth:
September 18th, 1896 (Bielefeld/Westphalia, Germany)
Date of death:
December 10th, 1961 (Bonn/Northrhine-Westphalia)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
30.07.1915: Leutnant
01.04.1920: Charakter als Oberleutnant
01.08.1934: Rittmeister - RDA 01.12.1933 (83)
15.10.1935: renamed Hauptmann
01.08.1938: Major (42)
01.08.1941: Oberstleutnant (27)
01.02.1943: Oberst (44)
20.04.1943: new RDA 01.12.1942 (76a)

Career:
00.00.1914: Ulanen-Regiment 16
16.08.1915: Kavalleriestabswache, VII. Armeekorps
09.04.1917: Infanterie-Regiment 364
26.08.1917: French POW
03.02.1920: released
31.03.1920: retired
01.08.1934: reactivated as Rittmeister, Schwadronschef, Reiter-Regiment 4
15.10.1935: Panzer-Regiment 5, Wünsdorf
06.10.1936: Chef, 4. Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 5, Wünsdorf
26.10.1939: appointed to the Stab, Panzerabteilung 67, 8. Panzer-Division
01.10.1939-01.01.1941: Major, Kommandeur, Panzer-Abteilung 67, 8. Panzer-Division
00.05.1940: captured a French Staff near La Capelle
01.11.1941: Kommandeur, III. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 10, 8. Panzer-Division
25.02.1942: Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 10, 8. Panzer-Division
00.08.1942: Oberstleutnant, Kdr, Panzer-Regiment 203, Panzer-Ersatz-Abteilung 100, Heeresgruppe Nord
01.05.1943: Kommandeur, Offiziers Lehrgang, Fahnenjunkerlehrgang IV, Fahnenjunkerschule der Panzertruppen
29.07.1943: Kommandeur, Oberfähnrich-Lehrgang der Panzertruppe

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Rittmeister
Awarded on:
1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:
1938
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
September 24th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
May 22nd, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
May 24th, 1940

Silver version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
May 27th, 1940
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, Panzer-Abteilung 67, 8. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt describes why Wendenburg was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Major Wendenburg… was wounded twice over the course of three weeks, however he remained with his troops despite his bodily limitations. He has always led his Panzer-Abteilung with prudence, with the result that it was able to reach its assigned objectives during the numerous battles of the attacking group. He and his Abteilung also played a decisive role in the fighting near La Capelle and Bazincourt. La Capelle fell as a result of his own decision-making, and in the process two French generals, numerous officers and several thousand men were taken prisoner.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Awarded on:
1941
Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 10, 8. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
August 1st, 1942
Medaille

Sources

Photo