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Borowietz, Willibald

Date of birth:
September 17th, 1893 (Ratibor/Silisia, Germany)
Date of death:
July 1st, 1945 (Clinton/Missouri, United States)
Buried on:
Fort Moore National Cemetery
Grave: 84.
Nationality:
German

Biography

Died as Prisoner of War with the Americans.

Promotions:
March 5th, 1914: Fähnrich;
January 23rd, 1915: Leutnant;
October 18th, 1918: Oberleutnant M4m;
December 21st, 1921: Polizei-Hauptmann;
August 11th, 1931: Polizei-Major;
October 1st, 1935: Major mit RDA vom 1-10-1934 (63);
April 1st, 1940: Oberstleutnant (83);
February 1st, 1942: Oberst (23);
January 1st, 1943: Generalmajor (39);
May 1st, 1943: Generalleutnant mit RDA vom 1-7-1943 (7).

Career:
September 1st, 1939: Kdr. Pz.Abw.Abt. 50;
February 1st, 1941: Kdr. Pa.Jg.Abt. 50;
June 10th, 1941: mdFb Schütz.Rgt. 10;
October 1st, 1941: Kdr. Schütz.Rgt. 10;
October 5th, 1942: Führer-Reserve OKH;
November 10th, 1942: Kdr. 10. Pz.Gren.Brig.;
November 18th, 1942: mdFb 15. Pz.Div.;
January 1st, 1943: Kdr. 15. Pz.Div.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 6th 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 11th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on June 25th 1915.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 14th, 1941
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 10 / 9.Panzer-Division / XIV.Armee-Korps / Panzergruppe 1 / Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:
July 24th, 1941
The following wartime excerpt describes why Borowietz was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Having already overrun several enemy resistance lines, Oberstleutnant Borowietz led his Vorausabteilung in a thrust forwards toward Zbaraz via Plurow—Zalosce (northwest of Tarnopol). He was able to achieve swift progress through a bold pursuit action during the evening and night. In the process his Vorausabteilung captured or destroyed 92 enemy tanks, 16 artillery pieces, 12 anti-aircraft guns and innumerable additional materiel. His prudent and exemplary leadership here resulted in the destruction of a Russian tank division.”

371st Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 10
Awarded on:
June 14th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Award 135/2.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1st, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur 15.Panzer-Division / Heeresgruppe Afrika
Awarded on:
May 10th, 1943
The following press article, dated 18.05.1943, describes why Borowietz was awarded the Oakleaves…

“During the last major combat in Tunisia, Generalmajor Borowietz served as the commander of a Panzer-Division west of Tunis. Here the enemy attacked the German lines with an overwhelming superiority that included strong support from artillery and air forces. The divisional commander defended against the enemy onslaught at the head of his soldiers in a heroic battle. Pulling back before the enemy’s might, he occupied new defensive positions before Tunis and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy from here. The enemy continued to assail the strongpoints with innumerable tanks, and once again the General and his few soldiers offered up brave resistance to the last man. By doing so they bought time for the destruction of all militarily important facilities in the city of Tunis and for the creation of new defensive positions.”

235th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 11th, 1943
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 50, 9. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1941

No Vorschlagsnummer.
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres

Sources

Photo