Türke, Gerhard (Grenadier-Regiment (mot.) 29)

Date of birth:: May 1st, 1914 (Heinersdorf-Lebus/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:: November 21st, 1991 (Gelsenkirchen/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Gerhard Türke was born May 1st, 1914 in Heinersdorf, Kreis Lebus. From 1934 onwards he studied in Frankfurt to become a teacher and he started teaching in a Volksschule (people’s school) from 1936 onwards.
October 17th, 1936, Türke fullfilled his mandatory militairy service in Infanterie Regiment 29 after which he continued teaching in 1938.
At the outbreak of WW 2 he was called up again and he participated in the campaign in the West. Together with his unit, he was deployed on the Eastern Front as part of the 6. Armee. In the vicinity of Stalingrad, he participated in the struggle with 3. Infanterie-Division (Motorisiert) and was named Chef of 3. Kompanie. Shortly before 6. Armee capitulated, he was promoted to Hauptmann der Reserve and flown out of the encirclement around Stalingrad. In Biarritz, France, he was named Kommandeur I.Battalion/Grenadier-Regiment 29 (Motorisiert) and deployed near Nettuno in Italy.
During the remainder of the war, he and his unit saw action on the Western Front until he, holding the rank of Major der Reserve, was made a POW in the Ruhr area.
After WW 2, Türke returned to teaching and on July 10th, 1957 he was named head master of a Hauptschule (High School) in Gelsenkirchen and held this post up to his retirement in 1979.
Gerhard Türke passed away on November 21st, 1991 in Gelsenkirchen.

Promotions:
April 20th, 1939: Leutnant der Reserve;
February 2nd, 1942: Oberleutnant der Reserve;
December 1st, 1942: Hauptmann der Reserve;
November 1st, 1944: Major.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

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

Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes

Awarded on:: July 10th, 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: January 21st, 1941

Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: January 21st, 1941

Silver version.

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: January 21st, 1941

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

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

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment (motorisiert) 29, 3. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert), Heer
Awarded on:: December 17th, 1942

Awarded for his role during the battle of Stalingrad, specifically the fight for Hill 135.1 (located north of Marinovka). The Soviets were able to penetrate the German line on the 24.11.1942, but Türke and his Kompanie launched a counterattack during the night and recaptured the old positions. They then held them against further attacks over the next few days.