Awarded on:

February 1934

Awarded on:

1936

Awarded on:

December 1937

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1939

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1940

other sources indicates 12.06.1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 9th, 1940

WIA 10.06.1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1940

other sources indicate 15.01.1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Awarded on:

November 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1 (mot.), SS-Polizei-Division, L. Armee-Korps, 11. Armee, Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1942

“During the night of August 17-18, 1941, Hauptmann Dietrich, as the commander of a battalion strength assault detachment of the regiment, had the assignment of following another assault detachment in order to break through the heavily fortified forest positions along the route south of Luga. The forward assault detachment encountered heavy enemy resistance. Hauptmann Dietrich immediately realized the critical situation and skillfully kept his own assault detachment from being entangled in this fighting as well. In the pitch black night, in difficult terrain and under the heaviest hostile artillery fire from Luga, he personally scouted for a weak spot of the enemy and found it directly to the south of the encampment.

Acting on a quick decision, he pulled up his assault detachment and always at the point of his assault detachment broke through the enemy positions. Despite the heavy enemy fire from the hutment, Hauptmann Dietrich swept forward his battalion through brilliant personal action and dash. That created the basis for the subsequent destruction of strong enemy forces by the regiment on the isthmus between Rakowetzkoje and, respectively, Lake Bol. Talon and Lake Tscheremeneskoje. Hauptmann Dietrich repeatedly distinguished himself through exemplary dash and outstanding personal bravery in these fierce engagements in wooded terrain of poor visibility and against an enemy vastly superior both in terms of numbers and materiel. On August 20-21, 1941, the Russians manage to penetrate the battalion’s thinly manned lines in some places and to outflank them in others. Through reckless personal action, Hauptmann Dietrich saved the situation by throwing himself against the enemy forces at the point of his numerically small staff and to destroy them in a daring charge.

Hauptmann Dietrich, as the commander of I./SS-Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1, contributed in an outstanding way both to the cutting-off and encirclement of the 2nd Russian Attack Army along the route south of Tschudowo in March 1942. He was also a major factor in the grim defensive fighting.

Wading through chest deep snow on March 18, 1942, the battalion pushed forward to the south under the most difficult weather and terrain condition. They took the Polisty Brook despite the stubborn enemy resistance. The men, in an almost super-human performance, were inspired time and time again by the shining, rousing example of their battalion commander. The battalion had been seriously weakened by bloody losses and frostbite. Nevertheless, it reached the “Erika” lane by the next day, against heavy enemy resistance and was once again motivated by the dash and personal bravery of Hauptmann Dietrich. The enemy suffered heavy losses. Apart from other war materiel, the battalion captured:

25 trucks
Two tractors
Three motorized sleds
Several light and heavy machine guns

After the enemy supply lanes into the pocket had been blocked, days of the most intense defensive fighting followed. By pulling up strong infantry units, at times reinforced by tanks and specialized forces, the enemy tried time and time again to force a breakthrough at the sector of Dietrich’s battalion from March 20-25, 1942. The battalion has been decimated down to only two weak companies. Despite everything, the men who had been forced to lie in the snow without any tents for days are still in good spirits. This is due to the exemplary conduct of their battalion commander, which lifted their spirits time and time again. Forever in the thick of things, in relentless action despite the most intense enemy fire and thus motivating his men, Hauptmann Dietrich knows how to repel all enemy attacks through his tactically skilled command.

Hauptmann Dietrich had already been decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class for shining personal dash and particular fearlessness as the commander of a machine gun company in the Western Campaign. In the Eastern Campaign, Hauptmann Dietrich was an example of energy, courage and determination for his men on repeated occasions as well. Shunning no hardships or dangers, this outstandingly brave officer always displays personal gallantry and relentless, sweeping dash.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Führer, III. Bataillon, SS-Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1 (mot.), 4. SS-Polizei-Division, L. Armee-Korps, 11. Armee

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1942

Dietrich’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“After the difficult yet successful defensive battles in the Neva bend in the time period 19.-25.09.1942 the II./SS-Pol.-Schützen-Regt. 1 under the command of Hauptmann Dietrich (which had been at the hotspot of the fighting and was heavily weakened) was relieved by III. Bataillon.

Following a short pause, on the evening of the 30.08.1942 the enemy renewed their energetic breakout attempts. They were aided by tanks, bombers, ground attack aircraft and fighters. But above all they had abundant artillery of all kinds and equally bountiful ammunition supplies, which were expended in levels comparable to First World War intensities. With this support, constant new waves of enemy infantry forces commenced attacks against the positions of the III./1 in the subsequent days. The enemy’s initial goal was to take the road/railway bridge that led over the northern Tossna river, and from there they would thrust towards Mga and the relief forces outside the Leningrad encirclement ring.

It was initially possible to repel several enemy tank-supported attacks while inflicting bloody losses. Isolated enemy penetrations were eliminated in bitter close combat. However, with the support of tanks, the enemy finally succeeded in breaking through the western position of III. Bataillon in the early morning hours of the 04.09.1942. At the same time they fed in strong reserves deep into friendly territory through the breach. Hauptmann Dietrich immediately recognized the danger that the Russians would thrust further forwards and thereby collapse the front of the entire Bataillon. An immediate friendly counterthrust failed in the heavy defensive fire of the enemy tanks. As was always the case during these days of battle, all communication links were down.

Despite the strong artillery and Katyusha fire Hauptmann Dietrich personally rushed to the break-in point with a handful of men from his staff. Along the way he sent elements of the III./I.R. 435 to immediately block the path to the Kirow railway line, and ordered them to halt any southward thrust by enemy forces no matter what the circumstances.

After Hauptmann Dietrich had gathered up a large number of stragglers he commenced a flanking counterthrust with these forces as well as part of 10. Kompanie. In bitter close combat, which was ultimately waged with hand grenades and spades, the Russians were thrown back and the breach closed.

The rolling enemy attacks continued. Again supported by tanks and heavy drumfire, the Russians succeeded in breaking through the left wing of III. Bataillon already on the next day. All the officers in the sector of the penetration became casualties, and their units were completely shattered. A gap of 300 metres now existed between II. and III. Bataillon. Reserves or occupied delaying positions were not present in the area. The Russians eventually recognized the opportunity in front of them and carried on forwards. Hostile elements were soon in the rear of the still intact right wing of II. Bataillon along the Kirowbahn. The Russians moved in strong reserves and collapsed the right wing of the Regiment. Several friendly counterthrusts broke down in the strong enemy defensive fire.

Undeterred and mindful of his duties, Hauptmann Dietrich initiated his countermeasures in these crucial hours. He launched a thrust along the Kirowbahn with what elements of his Bataillon were available, and he succeeded in making progress despite the bitter close combat and determined enemy action. After crushing strong enemy elements he was able to close the frontline gap, restore contact with II. Bataillon and rebuild the main battle line anew.

The successful defense against the enemy attacks in these days, and especially during the decisive combat situations on the 04. & 05.09.1942, was above all thanks to the outstandingly brave actions of Hauptmann Dietrich. Almost all MGs and rifles had malfunctioned due to being dirtied by the strong enemy drumfire, and most of the mortars were likewise unavailable. Hand grenades and spades were by and large the only weapons available.

In their ceaselessly conducted attacks along this narrow frontage the enemy lost about 10000 men as casualties. 13 enemy tanks were also destroyed or immobilized.

The enemy’s considerable and (for the time being) final effort to capture the railway bridge over the Tossna and thereby secure a decisive foundation for the relief of Leningrad had failed. This is first and foremost due to the heroic actions of Hauptmann Dietrich and his infantrymen. Despite massive physical exertions, Hauptmann Dietrich was always able to inspire his men through his personal example and in doing so ensure that the enemy suffered major losses in men and materiel.

On the grounds of his outstanding leadership skill, as well as the personal bravery he showed in the decisive moments, I hold Hauptmann Dietrich as being fully worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1943