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Kollberg, Botho

Date of birth:
July 11th, 1898 (Neuhäuser/East-Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:
January 24th, 1944 (north of Great Russolovo, Eastfront)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 24th, 1941
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur I./Infanterie-Regiment 2 / 11.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
January 11th, 1942

Award 52/31.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 23 / 11. Infanterie-Division / 1.Armee-Korps (XVIII. Armee-Korps) / 16. Armee (18. Armee) / Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
September 6th, 1942
Awarded for his Regiment’s outstanding defensive performance while holding the Volkhov bridgehead at Kirischi for over 4 weeks. They did so against relentless and much superior attacking Soviet forces, and all while while inflicting heavy casualties in the process.

1152nd Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 23, 11. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
February 8th, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
On the 17.01.1944 Oberst Kolberg and his men were positioned in the area Puschkin—Krasnoje Sselo, specifically near Pellelja, Komolowo and Kowrowo. Here they found themselves at the heart of the fierce defensive battles south of Leningrad, and with Kollberg at their head they were able to forge themselves into an unshakable cornerstone of the German front. Through its aggressive defense the Regiment was constantly able to deny the Soviets a breakthrough. On just one day of fighting the Soviets lost 59 tanks in the sector of the Regiment. For his contributions to the successes of his Regiment during this time, one in which he would die while fighting at the frontline, Kollberg was decorated with the Oakleaves.

384th Award

Sources

  • Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
  • Photo: Wilco Vermeer collection, the Netherlands
  • - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
    - Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, 2001
    - Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
    - Buxa, W., Weg und Schicksal der 11. Infanterie-Division, Nebel Verlag GmbH, Eggolsheim, Deutschland, 2004

Photo