Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

December 24th, 1914

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

August 9th, 1918

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

1934

Awarded on:

December 16th, 1935

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 11th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 13th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 9th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer der Reserve (Lieutenant-colonel of Reserves)

Unit:

Kdr, SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5, 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'

Awarded on:

November 17th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer der Reserve (Lieutenant-colonel of Reserves)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 5, 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"

Awarded on:

February 23rd, 1944

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

“From the beginning of the [Cherkassy] encirclement SS-Obersturmbannführer Richter (commander of SS-Art.Rgt. Wiking) led a Kampfgruppe consisting of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. Westland, the SS-A.A. [5], alarm units and detachments of Flak and Panzer (which only had 3 Hummeln, 1 self-propelled Pak and 1 Sturmgeschütz available as heavy weapons).

During the night of the 10./11.02.1944 this Kampfgruppe occupied the defensive position east of Korsun along the Roß river. The mission of the Kampfgruppe was to hold this position until the 12.02.1944.

The enemy launched non-stop attacks along both sides of the Arbusino—Korsun road with overwhelming tanks and infantry forces in order to force a breakthrough. To make matters worse, partisans also began attacking the rear of this weakly occupied position from the forest at Chut. Numerous friendly counterthrusts threw back the enemy’s assault wedges, and tanks were destroyed in close combat. SS-Obersturmbannführer Richter appeared wherever danger threatened in order to organize the defense and carry out counterthrusts. His men were inspired by his personal example, and up until the 12.02.1944 they were able to prevent the disintegration of the frontline in this sector.

Just behind the frontline there was an airfield containing abundant quantities of fuel, ammunition and rations, and by the 12.02.1944 these had still not been evacuated. SS-Obersturmbannführer Richter thus decided to continue holding his position long enough for these important supplies to be completely evacuated. Therefore it was only on the 13.02.1944 that he ordered his men to disengage from the enemy and occupy the new frontline west of Korsun.

In Korsun itself there were massive amounts of columns and vehicles that had accumulated due to a combination of delays, bad roads and bridge conditions. Under the circumstances they would undoubtedly have fallen into enemy hands before they could occupy the new frontline. However SS-Obersturmbannführer Richter decided to create a bridgehead position east of Korsun, and by doing so he enabled these friendly troop elements to withdraw westwards in an orderly fashion.

I believe SS-Obersturmbannführer Richter to be especially worthy of being decorated with the Knight’s Cross.”