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Langkeit, Willy

Date of birth:
June 2nd, 1907 (Schuchten/East Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:
October 27th, 1969 (Bad Bramstedt/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 10th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 30th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
II. / Panzer-Regiment 36
Awarded on:
July 1st, 1942

Award 141/45.
Several sources state the awarding of the DKiG with the II. / Panzer-Regiment 36. Research suggests that Langkeit was appointed Kommandeur I. / Panzer-Regiment 36 on 1st July 1942.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur I. / Panzer-Regiment 36 / 14.Panzer-Division / 6.Armee / Heeresgruppe Don
Awarded on:
December 9th, 1942
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Awarded for his actions during the pursuit battles of the 14. Panzer-Division towards the Lower Don in mid-1942. He particularly distinguished himself on the 23.07.1942 in the area west of Nowotscherkask. A week later, on the 30.07.1942, his Abteilung destroyed a Soviet tank unit near Kutejnikowskaja.

1338th Award.
Several sources state the awarding of the DKiG with the II. / Panzer-Regiment 36. Research suggests that Langkeit was appointed Kommandeur I. / Panzer-Regiment 36 on 1st July 1942.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 36 / 14.Panzer-Division / 8.Armee / Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:
December 7th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
At the end of October 1943 Langkeit and his armoured Kampfgruppe contributed significantly to recapturing the previously lost Ingulez sector, reaching the line Nowo Iwanowka - Krassny. Later on the Kampfgruppe launched a new advance on the 20.11.1943, and in a fierce tank battle it destroyed 22 Soviets tanks.

On the 26.11.1943 the same Kampfgruppe attacked from Protopopowka towards the north, blocking the three important roads from Kossowka towards the west and destroying 21 hostile tanks. In this time a Soviet infantry attack launched in strength of about two regiments was similarly crushed.

Langkeit would be decorated with the Oakleaves for his accomplishments during this time.

348th Award.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor
Unit:
Komandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Kurmark"
Awarded on:
April 30th, 1945
Panzerkampfabzeichen IV Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 30th, 1944
Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 3

Sources

  • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
  • - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
    - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
    - 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
    - Federl, C., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, Germany, 2000
    - Grams, R., Die 14. Panzer-Division – 1940-1945, Nebel Verlag GmbH, Eggolsheim, Deutschland, 2004
    - Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum

Photo