Wetzel, Wilhelm

Date of birth:: July 17th, 1888 (Sarbske, Germany)
Date of death:: July 4th, 1964 (Hamburg, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Generalleutnant
Unit:: Kommandeur 255. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: December 26th, 1941

Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)

1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

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

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
Unit:: Commander V. Armeekorps
Awarded on:: August 7th, 1942

The following newspaper article (dated 12.08.1942) describes why Wetzel received the Knight’s Cross…

“Pomeranian General Receives the Knight’s Cross - Breakthrough of a Bunker Position Near Rostov:

The Führer has awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to General der Infanterie Wilhelm Wetzel, commanding general of an Armeekorps.

General Wetzel… and his Divisionen had a major share in the swift seizure of Rostov. Here he personally led amongst the foremost friendly elements, and with these he forced a river crossing following bitter combat. Under his leadership his men also secured a breakthrough through the strongly fortified enemy bunker position in the northeastern part of the city.”