Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

May 28th, 1918

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

October 14th, 1918

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 24, 24. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 24, 24. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 204, 22. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1943

Awarded for the leadership of his Panzer-Regiment during the desperate fighting of Army Group Don in the winter of 1942-43. He had a decisive share in a battle that led to the destruction of an enemy battlegroup. His Panzers claimed the bulk of the losses inflicted on the Soviets by the XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps in the time period 06.12.1943-05.01.1943, which included the following destroyed or captured…

- 451 tanks
- 209 guns
- 752 heavy infantry weapons

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 11, 6. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 7th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 22, 21. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 28th, 1944

Awarded for his accomplishments during the battle of Normandy, where he and his Panzer Regiment held their positions for 32 days in the area around Caen against overwhelming allied superiority.

536th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalmajor (Brigadier)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 20. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 17th, 1945

Oppeln-Bronikowski’s Swords’ recommendation reads as follows…

“In the time period 15.-17.03.1945 the enemy deployed overwhelming infantry and tank forces in a southerly direction from Grottkau in the direction of Neisse, and they achieved a deep penetration into friendly lines. In response the 20. Pz.Div. (attached to VIII. Korps at the time) was dispatched against this threat, with its foremost elements located north of Neisse being the first to engage the enemy. Although this maneuver managed to contain the hostile thrust following bitter combat, on the 18.03.1945 the enemy thrust forwards along the axis Stephansdorf—Gross-Giessmannsdorf—Hochdorf with their 6th Guards Mechanized Corps and the 282nd Rifle Division. Their goal was to envelop Neisse from the west.

Following this dangerous turn-of-events Generalmajor von Oppeln (commander of the 20. Pz.Div.) and his staff were pulled out of the area north of Neisse. He received the mission to use the newly arrived elements of his Division to engage the advancing enemy and close the gap between Neisse and Nowag.

Undeterred by the unclear situation, Generalmajor von Oppeln immediately conducted a personal reconnaissance of the terrain that had been occupied by the foe. He found and reorganized those defending forces that were still fighting, and eliminated the opposing armoured spearheads in Hochdorf in a lightning-swift display of action. After this he personally led a counterattack against the enemy troops that had penetrated into the forest north of Gross-Giessmannsdorf. This series of actions that Generalmajor von Oppeln directed from the foremost line proved sufficient to prevent a hostile breakthrough towards the Neisse—Ottmachau road.

The bold, flexible leadership and inspiring personal bravery of Generalmajor von Oppeln have enabled him to repeatedly halt and smash strong enemy tank and infantry formations time and again. The 20. Pz.Div. was attached to VIII. Korps for the second time in 4 weeks, and it has once again proven itself to be an elite division. The Division has shown itself to possess both energy and endurance (especially in night attacks). For his part Generalmajor von Oppeln has particularly distinguished himself through both his demonstrated personal bravery as well as the swiftness with which he executes his plans.

Generalmajor von Oppeln has already previously distinguished himself during the fighting on the 07.02.1945, during the first 4-day attachment of his Division to the Korps. On this day he was present at the spearhead of the armoured group during its attack, and he provided the tempo for the successful night attack that was launched against the bitterly defending foe near Grottkau. He delivered similarly impressive results on the 27.01.1945, during the offensive combat in the Upper Silesian industrial area. Although his armoured vehicle was knocked out twice on this day he continued to lead the spearhead group towards the south and into the enemy’s midst. This opened up a path for the bulk of the encircled friendly Divisionen to occupy new positions.

This commander is possessed of particularly flexible leadership, uncompromising boldness and outstanding skill, and these virtues are reflected in the ranks of his Panzer-Division. He and his men never fail to deliver crushing blows upon the foe wherever they are deployed.”

142nd award.