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Vaerst, von, Gustav Friedrich Julius

Date of birth:
April 19th, 1894 (Meiningen/Saxony-Meiningen, Germany)
Date of death:
October 10th, 1975 (Wiesbaden, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  1.Klasse, 25 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur 2.Schützen-Brigade
Awarded on:
July 30th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Vaerst received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberst von Vaerst distinguished himself in an outstanding way throughout the whole campaign in the West. In this capacity he distinguished himself through ruthless dedication during the crossing of the Maas river as well as the in subsequent fighting. His calm and masterful command abilities (usually wielded whilst under enemy fire) inspired his subordinates to give their best in all this time. Oberst von Vaerst also showed noteworthy bravery during the capture of the Boulogne fortress.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 24th December 1916.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 25th September 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher
  • Photo: Willi Schumacher collection
  • - 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

Photo