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Behrens, Wilhelm

Date of birth:
August 23rd, 1888 (Berlin/Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:
August 15th, 1968 (Lotte/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
18.05.1909: Fähnrich
16.06.1910: Leutnant
18.12.1915: Oberleutnant
01.03.1922: Rittmeister
01.10.1932: Major
01.06.1935: Oberstleutnant
01.01.1938: Oberst
01.01.1942: Generalmajor
01.09.1944: Generalleutnant

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 106, 15. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 9th, 1941
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 106, 15. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 27th, 1942
Awarded for his defense of Iklinskoje during the time period 20.-24.12.1941, as described in the following wartime excerpt…

“Oberst Behrens and his ragtag of forces defended the city of Iklinsjoje (located west of the Nara river) against enemy breakthrough attempts during the crucial days immediately before and during the withdrawal movement of the Armee’s centre from the Nara Position. They fought with nerves of steel and managed to prevent a major crisis. At this time the Armee was already extremely threatened by an envelopment and breakthrough on its southern flank. If the enemy had also succeeded in breaking through at Iklinskoje then the entire withdrawal movement of the Armee’s centre would have been jeopardized. The prevention of an enemy breakthrough at Iklinskoje was therefore of significant operational importance.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr (interim) 328. Infanterie Division
Awarded on:
June 20th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr (interim) 328. Infanterie Division
Awarded on:
May 23rd, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kdr 328. Infanterie Division
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
with swords
Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern

Sources

Photos