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Sander, Joachim Martin Constantin

    Date of birth:
    August 7th, 1898 (Wernigerode/Saxony, Germany)
    Date of death:
    November 3rd, 1944 (Goldap/Easprussia, Germany)
    Buried on:
    German War Cemetery Insterburg / Chernyakhovsk
    Plot: 6. Row: 11. Grave: 817.
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Promotions:
    April 1st, 1942: Oberstleutnant (RDA -234a-);
    August 1st, 1943: Oberst (RDA July 1st, 1943 -46d-).

    Career:
    ?: Kavallerie Schützen-Regiment 9;
    June 1940: Kommandeur I. / Schützen-Regiment 8;
    September 1941: Kommandeur I. / Infanterie-Regiment 8;
    ?: Schützen-Ersatz-Regiment 83;
    June 1942: Kommandeur Schützen-Bataillon / 22. Panzer-Division;
    July 1942: Kommandeur Kradschützen-Bataillon 24;
    October 1942: Führerreserve OKH;
    December 6th, 1942: Panzertruppenschule Wünsdorf;
    December 28th, 1942: Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 39;
    January 10th, 1943: Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 201;
    March 15th, 1943: Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 33;
    May 15th, 1944: Führerreserve OKH;
    July 5th, 1944: Armeeoberkommando 18;
    July 28th, 1944: Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment z.b.V.;
    August 22nd, 1944: Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 31.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 201, 23. Panzer Division, Heer
    Awarded on:
    March 24th, 1943
    Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 23, 23. Panzer Division, Heer
    Awarded on:
    September 19th, 1943
    Oberst Sander received the Knight’s Cross for the actions of his Kampfgruppe in early September of 1943. The Soviets had broken through with armoured forces at the boundary of 1. Panzerarmee and 6. Armee. Thanks to a shortening of the front line, the 23. Panzer-Division had been tasked to attack south to cut off the Soviet spearheads and link up with 6. Armee. Despite being outnumbered, Sander’s men were able to capture the key city of Sslawjanka, securing the left flank of the supporting 16th Panzergrenadier Division. This led to a link-up of the two German armies and the cutting off of two Soviet armoured corps.
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    November 9th, 1944
    Wehrmachtbericht
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberst (Colonel)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 31, 5. Panzer-Division, Heer
    Awarded on:
    February 5th, 1945
    Awarded for his command of the Panzer-Regiment 31 during the fighting in east Prussia in late 1944, around Goldap. Sander’s men launched a thrust into the Soviet flank which was crucial in ensuring the German recapture of the city. Sander himself however would die during this battle, and was recognized for his achievement posthumously.

    729th Award.
    Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

    Sources

    Photo