Breuker, Helmuth
- Date of birth:
- July 4th, 1917 (Lünen/Westphalia, Germany)
- Date of death:
- May 28th, 2012 (Hattingen an der Ruhr/Northrhine-Wastphalia, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Helmuth Breuker reached the rank of Major.
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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann (Captain)
- Unit:
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 141, 6. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- May 2nd, 1944
According to the records of the IIaIIb 20 Geb.Armee, to Hauptmann Breuker, I./G.J.R. 141 the DKiG was awarded or presented on 3rd May 1944.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann (Captain)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 141, 6. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- November 26th, 1944
The following press report (dated 05.12.1944) describes why Breuker was awarded the Knight’s Cross…
“Knight’s Cross for Hauptmann Breuker:
At the end of October 1944 Hauptmann Breuker managed to bust out a group of German soldiers that had been encircled by the Soviets near Taarnet-Tofte while leading at the head of his reserve Kompanie. This action was born of his own initiative and ruthlessly conducted. His superior leadership surprised the enemy, and deceived them into thinking larger German forces were present than was actually the case. With this he succeeded in tying down the bulk of the enemy Division. Hauptmann Brecher thereby decisively contributed to the ability of his Regiment and Division to move into the smaller bridgehead at Kirkenes. This was all the more impressive considering that he gathered up soldiers from several units in a difficult situation and led them in a successful attack.
While serving in the role of a Bataillon commander Hauptmann Brecher always stood in the foremost line, and his exemplary behaviour inspired the attack in such a way that it was possible to defeat a far larger enemy force.”
“Knight’s Cross for Hauptmann Breuker:
At the end of October 1944 Hauptmann Breuker managed to bust out a group of German soldiers that had been encircled by the Soviets near Taarnet-Tofte while leading at the head of his reserve Kompanie. This action was born of his own initiative and ruthlessly conducted. His superior leadership surprised the enemy, and deceived them into thinking larger German forces were present than was actually the case. With this he succeeded in tying down the bulk of the enemy Division. Hauptmann Brecher thereby decisively contributed to the ability of his Regiment and Division to move into the smaller bridgehead at Kirkenes. This was all the more impressive considering that he gathered up soldiers from several units in a difficult situation and led them in a successful attack.
While serving in the role of a Bataillon commander Hauptmann Brecher always stood in the foremost line, and his exemplary behaviour inspired the attack in such a way that it was possible to defeat a far larger enemy force.”
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Known to STIWOT
- - 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.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
Photo
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