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Langesee, Karl

Date of birth:
September 18th, 1910 (Vilsbiburg/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
March 4th, 1989 (Augsburg/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 26th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 30th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 3rd, 1941

By OB 17.Armee von Stülpnagel.
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 20th, 1941

460th Award
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1941

By ObdH v. Brauchitsch.
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 207, 97. leichte Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
February 28th, 1942

Award 80/25
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 207, 97. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 10th, 1942
Awarded for the actions of his Bataillon during the fighting at the Soviet bridgehead over the Donez (at Izyum) in the time period 22-25.06.1942. In this time the Regiment reached the Donez at Kamenka and captured 40 embrasured emplacements, afterwards thrusting up until Kapitalowka and Dibrowa. On the 23.06.1942 the forest on both sides of Morossowka was taken. Over the next two days the enemy forces on the west bank of the Oskol in and around Gorochowatka were destroyed and a defensive position constructed here. The right wing of the Regiment held off all enemy attacks while destroying 8 enemy tanks. Langesee and his Bataillon had a key part to play in these successes.

1092nd Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 207, 97. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 15th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
The following newspaper article (dated 18.03.1943) describes why Langesee received the Oakleaves…

“New Oakleaves Holders in the East - Major Langesee and Oberleutnant Norman:

… In January 1943 Major Langesee led a counterthrust with his Bataillon that had the aim of relieving a Romanian Kampfgruppe that had been encircled by the enemy. Although he was personally enveloped by the enemy, he smashed through the foe in a ferocious battle and was able to reach another Bataillon of his Regiment. Now under his unified command, both Bataillone proceeded to hold off a much larger enemy force for three days and nights despite having no resupply of food/ammunition and no artillery support. During this time the enemy force enveloped and cut off the German Kampfgruppe from its rearward connections. When he received the order to break out, Major Langesee led both of his Bataillone through the enemy lines in a masterful set of withdrawal movements that were carried out without further friendly casualties. He and his men then defended their new position against the onslaught of a whole Soviet division for an entire week. In this latter battle the Bolsheviks lost over 1000 men dead.”

211th Award

Sources

Photo