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Schülke, Willi

Date of birth:
March 14th, 1918 (Neisse/Upper-Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
March 9th, 1945 (Großneukirch/Upper-Silesia, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Skijäger-Regiment 1, 1. Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 17th, 1944

Award 609/27
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, III. Bataillon, Skijäger-Regiment 1, 1. Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 28th, 1944
On the 24./25.09.1944 the III./Ski-Jäger-Regiment 1 joined the battle in the Dukla Pass. After launching its own attack it defended against an Soviet cavalry attack on the 28.09.1944 before becoming surrounded by the enemy. Nonetheless they managed to hold onto an important cornerstone of the Division's defense for 24 hours west of the main road, and eventually were able to break out of the ring following bitter close combat. They even managed to take all their wounded and heavy weapons with them. Schülke would receive the Knight's Cross for his Bataillon’s performance during this fight.

3930th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Skijäger-Regiment 1, 1. Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
February 16th, 1945
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
During the fighting in late 1945 Schülke's Bataillon received the mission of holding a section of frontline at Bogunitz, 3 km NW of Lissek. As a result of Soviet armoured penetrations in both neighbouring sectors, the Bataillon became surrounded on the 08.02.1945. Fighting at the head of his men, Schülke was able to defeat the Soviet penetration attempts in Bataillon’s own sector. On the night of the 09./10.02.1945 the Bataillon received a radio message to break out southwards to the line Neudorf—Lissek. Due to excellent navigation the Bataillon was able to conduct the breakout with the wounded and Panje wagons in the middle of the column. In total the Bataillon had been successful in repelling 5 Soviet attacks and smashing a further 3 successful enemy penetrations with counterattacks. As a result of their actions the Soviets were unsuccessful in their attacks against the left flank of the Division, and a new frontline on both sides of Lissek could be formed. Schülke would later receive the Oakleaves for his tactical accomplishments.

740th Award
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
III. Bataillon, Skijäger-Regiment 1, 1.Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
February 25th, 1945
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS

5450th Award.

Sources

  • Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
  • Photo: Wilco Vermeer collection, the Netherlands
  • - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
    - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
    - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001
    - Scheibert, H., Die Träger der Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und der Waffen-SS/ Die Träger der Ehrentaffelspange der Kriegsmarine/ Die Inhaber des Ehrenpokals für Besondere Leistung im Lukftkrieg, Podzun-Pallas Verlag, Friedberg, Germany, 1986

Photo