Lorenz, Wilhelm

Date of birth:: April 25th, 1894 (Hamburg, Germany)
Date of death:: January 2nd, 1943 (Demjansk, Russia)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst
Unit:: Infanterie-Regiment 376
Awarded on:: October 3rd, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 376
Awarded on:: December 28th, 1942

Generalmajor Risse wrote a supplement to the daily report to Gruppe Höhne on the 27.12.1942. It contained information on the actions that would lead to Oberst Lorenz receiving the Knight’s Cross, and is reproduced here as follows…

“Oberst Lorenz, commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 376, has particularly distinguished himself during the heavy defensive battles in the time period 23.-27.12.1942. He was a model for his soldiers by virtue of his outstanding personal bravery. On the 26.12.1942 he recaptured the village of Wjasowka on his own initiative with the help of an intervention group that he personally directed. In doing so he decisively contributed to the fact that the Russians’ sought after operational breakthrough was prevented. I recommend Oberst Lorenz (who was heavily wounded on the 27.12.1942) for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”