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Neumann, Dr.med., Heinrich

Date of birth:
February 17th, 1908 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
May 19th, 2005 (Düsseldorf/Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 20th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 20th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstabsartzt (Major (Medical))
Unit:
Regimentsarzt, Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
August 21st, 1941
Awarded for his actions during the Battle of Crete. As all the officers of the I./Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 had fallen, Neumann took over the leadership of the rest of the Bataillon. Oberleutnant Trebes, commanding the remnants of the Stoßgruppe Braun, also attached himself to Neumann’s group. Acting on his own initiative, Dr. Neumann decided to capture the NW part of Hill 107 and eliminate the Allied AA guns there that commanded the Maleme airfield. In this he was successful, with this action being the turning point of the whole battle.

After returning to his nominal duties, he was then ordered by the newly arrived Oberst Ramcke to take over the Bataillon once again. Thus, on the morning of 22.05.1941, Neumann divided the Bataillon into 2 Kompanien. The next day Neumann and his men took the role of Vorausabteilung, and advanced ahead of the left wing of the II. Bataillon towards the east. At 17:00 he reached the village of Modea. The next day, while on the hill south of Platania, the Bataillon halted as the attack had been postponed. Finally, on the 24.05.1941, Oberleutnant Stolz took over the leadership of the Bataillon and Neumann could finally return to looking after the many wounded for good. In this capacity he also distinguished himself outstandingly.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

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