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Kendler, Rudolf

Date of birth:
April 15th, 1914 (Bonn/Rhineprovince, Germany)
Date of death:
February 13th, 2011 (Cologne/Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
4. Kompanie, Kradschützen-Bataillon 165, 16. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
May 29th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4 / 4.Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
September 2nd, 1944
On the 30.07.1944 Hauptmann Kendler and his Aufklärungs-Abteilung launched an assault from Grodzisk and took the villages of Mendle, Grodzisk and Kozolo despite fierce Soviet resistance. Kampfgruppe Kendler was then able to restore contact with 2. Armee in the village of Drochlin when it linked up with the Armee Sturmbataillon. Kendler would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross for his actions and bravery during these battles.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher
  • Photo: Willi Schumacher collection
  • - DEBUS, ARNO, Die Ritterkreuzträger der 4. Panzer-Division: 1939 - 1945, Selbstverl. des Hrsg., 2011.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
    - 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
    - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X

Photo