Date of birth:

March 8th, 1894 (Karlsruhe/Baden, Germany)

Date of death:

November 2nd, 1946 (POW-camp Allendorf/Hesse, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Promotions:
April 1st, 1942: Generalmajor;
June 1st, 1943: Generalleutnant.

Career:
1913: Armee;
1935: Luftwaffe;
August 26th, 1939 - July 5th, 1940: Kommandeur Flak-Gruppe Groß-Dessau;
July 6th, 1940 - December 11th, 1940: Kommandeur Flak-Brigade IV (Kanalküste);
December 12th, 1940 - August 8th, 1941: Kommandeur Scheinwerfer-Brigade II;
August 9th, 1941 - January 22nd, 1942: Kommandeur 2. Scheinwerfer-Division;
January 23rd, 1942 - September 30th, 1943: Kommandeur 2. Flak-Division (mot);
October 1st, 1943 - 1944: Inspekteur Flak-Artillerie Ost;
1944 - November 14th, 1944: Kampfgruppe Flak-Ausbildung;
November 15th, 1944 - March 19th, 1945: General der Flak-Artillerie, Luftgaukommando XI, Hamburg;
April 18th, 1945 - 2 november 1946: U.S. POW.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalmajor (Brigadier)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 2. Flak-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

December 24th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-General)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 2. Flak-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

August 29th, 1943

The following wartime excerpt describes why von Rantzau would receive the Knight’s Cross…

“In the heavy defensive battles during the winter of 1942/43 (specifically south of Lake Ladoga, on the Leningrad front and south of Lake Ilmen) the formations of the 2. Flak-Division (mot) once again proved their devotion to duty through their support of Heer units. They contributed to the fighting in both defense, counterattacks and attacks, as their successes have proven abundantly.

In the time period 01.01.1943-31.03.1943 alone the 2. Flak-Division (mot) destroyed 122 aircraft and 43 tanks. In total the same formation (and its subordinate units) has since the 25.02.1942 destroyed 262 aircraft and 68 tanks, among other things. These successes are the result of the influence of the Division commander in the leadership and training of his troops. Through his inspiring presence with the Flak troops in the foremost line, he was always the best role model of the Division in the most difficult of moments.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 17th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 28th, 1940

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1991.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Die träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eiserne Kreuz 1939 - 1945