Riedel, Willi

Date of birth:: November 10th, 1909 (Liegnitz, Germany)
Date of death:: February 10th, 1982 (Potsdam, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 524, 297. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: May 30th, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 524, 297. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 8th, 1942

Awarded for distinguishing himself during the advance of the 297. Infanterie-Division towards Stalingrad while leading at the head of his battalion. He was recognized for remaining with his men despite being wounded twice.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 524, 297. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: January 25th, 1943

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 29.01.1943) describes why Riedel received the Oakleaves…

“Hauptmann Riedel prevented an imminent breakthrough by strong enemy forces whilst serving with his Grenadiers south of Stalingrad. In this time, and even though he had been wounded twice by this stage, he formed a shock troop and threw back those Bolshevik troops that had advanced as far as his command post. At the end of November 1942 Hauptmann Riedel intervened in the exact same sector with his Kampfgruppe, captured numerous resistance nests and thereby closed a frontline gap.”

186th Award.