Ramcke, Hermann-Bernhard (Gen.d.Fallschirmtruppe)

Date of birth:: January 24th, 1889 (Schleswig)
Date of death:: July 5th, 1968 (Kappeln, Schlei)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
04.04.1905: Schiffsjunge
26.09.1907: Matrose
01.07.1909: Obermatrose
01.04.1912: Bootsmannsmaat
19.07.1915: Oberbootsmannsmaat
11.09.1915: Feldwebel
05.12.1916: Offiziers-Stellvertreter
18.07.1918: Leutnant der Marine-Infanterie - Patent 01.02.1913
15.01.1921: Oberleutnant - RDA 21.06.1918
01.02.1927: Hauptmann
01.09.1934: Major
16.03.1937: Oberstleutnant - RDA 01.03.1937
29.02.1940: Oberst - RDA 01.03.1940
01.08.1940: Oberst (Luftwaffe) - RDA 01.10.1938
22.07.1941: Generalmajor - RDA 01.08.1941
21.12.1942: Generalleutnant
14.09.1944: General der Fallschirmtruppe - RDA 01.09.1944

Career:
00.00.1921: awarded the Flandernkreuz

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Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:: April 17th, 1916

Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:: January 17th, 1917

Ehrenkreuz I. Klasse des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Unit:: Offizier-Stellvertreter, Zugführer, Sturm-Abteilung, Marine-Korps „Flandern“
Awarded on:: April 24th, 1918

Marineverwundetenabzeichen in Gold

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:: November 3rd, 1919

Baltenkreuz 2. Klasse

Awarded on:: November 5th, 1919

Baltenkreuz 1. Klasse

Awarded on:: November 5th, 1919

Dienstauszeichnung 21. Jahre

Awarded on:: October 20th, 1919

Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:: January 26th, 1935

Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 1.Klasse, 25 Jahre

Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1936

1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: October 1st, 1939
Awarded for:: Operation Fall Weiss

Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: August 1st, 1940

Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: August 1940

1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: May 23rd, 1941

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Group Captain)
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1941

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:: Kdr, Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: August 21st, 1941

After Generalmajor Meindl became badly wounded during the battle of Crete on 21.05.1941, Oberst Ramcke took his place as commander of the Westgruppe of German Fallschirmjäger. Under his leadership the Fallschirmjäger were able to capture the Maleme airfield and the city of Chania, thereby snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. For his actions during this battle Ramcke would receive the Knight’s Cross.

Kommandeur

Ärmelband Kreta

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1941

Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1941

Medaglia d'argento al Valore Militare

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1942

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 10th, 1942

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: November 9th, 1942

Medaglia commemorativa della campagna italo-tedesca in Africa

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1942

Ärmelband Afrika

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1942

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:: Kdr, Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: November 13th, 1942

Awarded for his actions during the battle of El Alamein. After Montgomery broke through along both sides of the coastal road, Ramcke and his men found themselves isolated in the southern part of the front. However under Ramcke they resolved not to surrender, and by capturing an enemy supply column they were able to make the 350 km journey through the harsh desert and link up with Rommel’s forces well after they’d been given up for lost.

145th Award.

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 10th, 1944

Honor Pilot Badge

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1943

Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe ohne zahlen

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Generalleutnant (Major-General)
Unit:: Kdt, Festung Brest, Heer
Awarded on:: September 19th, 1944

Awarded for holding the coastal port of Brest for over a month, where he fought hard to delay the enemy capture of such an important port for as long as possible.

99th Award.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern

Ritterkreuz, Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Generalleutnant (Major-General)
Unit:: Kdt, Festung Brest, Heer
Awarded on:: September 19th, 1944

Awarded on the same grounds as he was the Swords. Simultaneously promoted to General der Fallschirmtruppe.

20th Award.

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 21st, 1944

Sources

Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
- KUROWSKI, F., Knight's Cross Holders of the Afrikakorps, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, United States, 1996.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
- 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
- Island Farm