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Renz, Joachim

Date of birth:
October 5th, 1919 (Bergen, Germany)
Date of death:
October 23rd, 1944 (Soviet Union)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
3. / Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring
Awarded on:
October 17th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
Führer I. / Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring
Awarded on:
December 6th, 1944
Hauptmann Renz received the Knight's Cross following the battles in East Prussia in October 1944. At the time of the fighting he was commander of the Panther battalion of the Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment "Hermann Göring". Following the penetration of German lines by Soviet forces, the Panzers of the Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring launched a counterattack on the 19 October, thrusting deeply into enemy lines. In heavy defensive fighting, Renz's battalion was credited with the destruction of 93 tanks, 45 anti-tank guns and a regiment of Russian infantry. Renz was eventually killed during the course of this battle on 23 October, however his leadership skills during the fighting did not go unnoticed and he was later awarded the Knight's Cross posthumously.

Awarded posthumously.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

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