Usedom, von, Horst

Date of birth:: March 9th, 1906 (Celle/Province of Hanover, Germany)
Date of death:: October 14th, 1970 (München/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Horst von Usedom commanded a Wehrmacht reconnaissance battalion during Operation Barbarossa in 1941. His battalion was nicknamed the "Usedom Hussars", a fitting nickname, as Usedom was a cavalry officer whose ancestors had commanded a regiment of hussars bearing his name in 1806. He was also known to carry around a pet cocker spaniel during his campaigns in World War II. On 12 April 1945, he took command of the entrapped 12th Panzer Division as it was encircled in the Courland Pocket by the Soviet Red Army, and he was forced to surrender in May 1945.

Promotions:
April 1st, 1925: Soldat;
April 1st, 1929: Leutnant (RDA -11-);
April 1st, 1933: Oberleutnant (RDA -37-);
April 1st, 1936: Hauptmann (RDA -52-);
April 1st, 1941: Major (RDA -54-);
August 1st, 1942: Oberstleutnant (RDA -8-);
1943: Oberst (RDA, September 1st, 1942, -40c-);
April 20th, 1945: Generalmajor.

Career:
May 1st, 1929: 2. Schwadron, Reiter-Regiment 10, Torgau;
May 1st, 1933: Stab, Reiter-Regiment 10, Züllichau;
October 1st, 1934: II. Abteilung, Reiter-Reigment 11, Weimar;
October 15th, 1935: Stab, Schützen-Regiment 1, Gera;
October 12th, 1937: Chef, 9.(MG) Kompanie, Schützen-Regiment 1, Weimar;
October 31st, 1939: Führer, II. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 111;
December 20th, 1939: Adjutant, Schützen-Regiment 110;
May 20th, 1940: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 111;
August 1st, 1940: Adjutant, Schützen-Brigade 11;
May 12th, 1941: Kommandeur, Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 231;
November 28th, 1941: Kommandeur, Kradschützen-Bataillon 61;
April 1st, 1942: Kommandeur, Kradschützen-Bataillon Grossdeutschland;
October 5th, 1942: Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 67;
March 3rd, 1944: Führerreserve OKH;
May 22nd, 1944: Schuule für Fahnenjunker der Panzertruppen;
August 22nd, 1944: Führerreserve OKH;
September 4th, 1944: Kommandeur, Panzer-Brigade 112;
September 26th, 1944: Führerreserve OKH;
October 12th, 1944: Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108;
January 1945: Kommandeur, Panzer-Brigade Kurland;
March 20th, 1945: Führerreserve OKH;
April 5th, 1945: 18. Divisionsführer-Lehrgang;
April 12th, 1945: m.d.F.b 12. Panzer-Division.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:: September 22nd, 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:: May 30th, 1940

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur Kradschutzen Batallion 61 / 11. Panzer-Division / 4. Panzergruppe / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:: December 31st, 1941

While leading the advance of the Vorausabteilung of his Division, von Usedom encountered a numerically superior Soviet force on the retreat. He was able to exploit the element of surprise and smashed through this group, with the objective of the river crossings just beyond. The road bridge proved too damaged to be of use, but von Usedom was able to reroute his forces to the south and they succeeded in seizing the railroad bridge there intact. They were then able to establish a bridgehead over the river. With this von Usedom and his Abteilung played a key role in facilitating the rapid advance of Kampfgruppe Angern and their subsequent penetration of the Stalin Line. He was thus awarded the Knight's Cross.

774th Awarded.

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108 / 14. Panzerdivision
Awarded on:: January 29th, 1945

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur Panzer Brigade "Kurland" / 81. Infanterie-Division / 16. Armee / Heeresgruppe Kurland
Awarded on:: March 28th, 1945

During the fighting at the Courland pocket the Soviets launched an attack aimed towards Tuckum with four rifle divisions, and succeeded in breaking through the German line. Von Usedom and his Panzer Brigade were ordered to counterattack this thrust, and they succeeded in retaking the old German line. In the process they destroyed or captured 3 assault guns, 28 infantry guns and 114 anti-tank guns. The Soviets also lost 216 prisoners and 445 dead.

809th Awarded.