Schulze, Paul Joseph (Panzer-Abteilung 21)

Date of birth:: January 6th, 1913 (Brakel-Höxter/Westernphalia, Germany)
Date of death:: July 28th, 1980 (Brakel-Höxter/Westernphalia, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
00.00.1938: Leutnant der Reserve then activated
July 1st, 1940: Oberleutnant (RDA -23-);
May 1st, 1942: Hauptmann;
May 1st, 1944: Major (RDA -6-);
January 00, 1945: Oberstleutnant.

Career:
00.00.1934-00.00.1935: Kraftfahr-Abteilung 7;
00.00.1938-00.05.1942: Zugführer then Chef, 3. Kompanie, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 36;
00.05.1942: Hauptmann, Kdr, II. Bataillon, Panzer-Regiment 21
February 20th, 1943: Panzer-Regiment 21;
March 20th, 1943: Führerreserve OKH, Wehrkreis XII;
July 5th, 1943: Panzer-Regiment 26;
October 5th, 1943: Führerreserve OKH, Wehrkreis XII;
October 15th, 1943: Major, Kommandeur, Panzer-Abteilung 21;
June 26th, 1944: Major, Führer, Kampfgruppe 'Schulze' during the breakout of the Bobruisk pocket
September 25th, 1944: Kommandeur Lehrtruppe, Panzertruppenschule Bergen;
January 1st, 1945: Oberstleutnant, Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Lehr-Regiment 130
April 20th, 1945: surrendered in the Harzkessel

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Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre

Awarded on:: 1938

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: May 12th, 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: July 4th, 1940

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef, 3. Kompanie, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 36, 36. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: April 25th, 1942

Award 109/20.

Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, II. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 21, 20. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: December 30th, 1943

Awarded for his leadership of II./Panzer-Regiment 21, especially during following actions which took place during the battles of the 20. Panzer-Division starting on the 19.11.1943, near Gorodok…

1) Capturing about a dozen T-34s which had bogged down in a swamp. These were later salvaged, painted with Balkan crosses and employed in the service of the Abteilung.

2) His Abteilung’s success near Lake Losswida on the 28.11.1943. Along with some Panzergrenadiers, Schulze and the available elements of his Abteilung were able to capture Hill 196.2, as well as inflict the following losses on the Soviets in the area around Hill 197.4:

7 x T-34s
3 x 7.62 cm anti-tank guns
7 x medium anti-tank guns
Assorted other weapons.

2499th Award.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, Panzer-Abteilung 21, 20. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: July 28th, 1944

Awarded for his actions during Operation Bagration. His Abteilung engaged in combat starting on the 24.06.1944, first at Cherebomirka and then in the area of XXXXI. Panzer-Korps near Paritschi. Later his Abteilung played a key role in temporarily checking the advance of the Soviet 48th Army east of Bobruisk. By this time the whole 20. Panzer-DIvision had destroyed 213 enemy tanks, of which it can be assumed Schulze's Abteilung had a significant share.

However whatever victories were achieved proved short lived and the Division was later encircled where it stood. It would consequently form the spearhead of the German breakout from Bobruisk, wherein Schulze's Abteilung would once again contribute significantly to the German cause. However he himself would be severely wounded during the retreat.

538th Award.