Date of birth:

January 1st, 1896 (Strasbourg/Alsace, Germany)

Date of death:

September 24th, 1974 (Leoni/Bavaria, Germany)

Nationality:

German

For his services during World War One he also received the Österreichisches Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit der Kriegsdekoration (October 17th, 1916).

Promotions:
July 2nd, 1914: Offiziersanwärter;
July 24th, 1914: Fahnenjunker;
September 15th, 1914: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier;
September 25th, 1914: Fähnrich (-A2a-);
December 24th, 1914: Leutnant (Patent June 23rd, 1913);
October 28th, 1918: Oberleutnant (RDA October 18th, 1918, -H12h-);
February 1st, 1928: Rittmeister (-44-);
January 1st, 1935: Major (-3-);
October 1st, 1937: Oberstleutnant (-15-);
September 1st, 1940: Oberst (RDA August 1st, 1939, -13-);
February 15th, 1943: Generalmajor (RDA January 1st, 1943, -23a-);
May 1st, 1943: Generalleutnant (RDA July 1st, 1943, -5b-).

Career:
July 2nd, 1914: Offiziersanwärter, 2. Pommersche Ulanen-Regiment Nr.9;
February 15th, 1915: Sick leave;
March 3rd, 1915: Ersatz-Regiment;
April 20th, 1915: MG-Lehrgang, Döberitz;
May 25th, 1915: Kürassier-Regiment „von Seydlitz" (4. Magdeburgisches) Nr. 7;
November 9th, 1915: Sick leave;
January 3rd, 1916: Ersatz-Regiment;
January 10th, 1916: 2. Pommersche Ulanen-Regiment Nr.9;
May 10th, 1917: MG-Schule, Spandau;
July 3rd, 1918: Schwadronchef Kürassier-Regiment „von Seydlitz" (Magdeburgisches) Nr. 7;
October 13th, 1918: Lazerett;
December 28th, 1918: Schwadronchef Kürassier-Regiment „von Seydlitz" (Magdeburgisches) Nr. 7;
May 31st, 1919: Kavallerie-Regiment 2, Reichswehr;
October 7th, 1919: Schiessschule, Wünsdorf;
November 11th, 1919: Kavallerie-Regiment 102, Reichwehr-Brigade 2;
March 29th, 1920: 2. Eskadron, 6. (Preußisches) Reiter-Regiment, Schwedt an der Order;
October 1st, 1924: Regimentsstab 6. (Preußisches) Reiter-Regiment, Schwedt an der Order;
January 10th, 1925: Adjutant 6. (Preußisches) Reiter-Regiment, Schwedt an der Order;
October 1st, 1928: Chef 2. Eskadron, 8. (Preußisches) Reiter-Regiment, Oels;
June 1st, 1931: Standortältester;
December 1st, 1933: Adjutant 1. Kavallerie-Division, Frankfurt an der Oder;
October 15th, 1935: Inspekteur der Kavallerie (In3), Reichskriegsministerium;
November 12th, 1938: Kommandeur II. / Kavallerie-Regiment 6;
August 26th, 1939: Kommandeur Aufklärungs-Abteilung 34;
December 5th, 1939: Kommandeur Reiter-Regiment 21;
September 30th, 1940: Kommandeur Reiter-Regiment 22;
September 30th, 1941: Kommandeur Reiter-Brigade 1;
December 1st, 1941: Schützen-Brigade 24;
October 31st, 1942: Führerreserve;
November 10th, 1942: m.d.F.b. Division von Broich;
February 5th, 1943: Kommandeur 10. Panzer-Division;
May 12th, 1943: British POW, Gombalia, Tunesië;
July 23rd, 1946: POW Nr 18828, Island Farm, Special Camp 11, Bridgend;
October 1st, 1947: Camp 186;
October 2nd, 1947: Released.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1934

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on December 24th, 1914.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on October 13th, 1918.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Reiter-Regiment 22, Reiter-Brigade 2, 1. Kavallerie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

November 2nd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 24. Panzergrenadier-Brigade, 24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 29th, 1942

Broich’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Oberst Freiherr von Broich led the armoured shock group of the Division through a fierce 36 hour battle on the 20.08.1942 and the morning of the next day, and the end result was the seizure of a 20 km deep set of enemy positions between Wassiljew and the Prywolskj collective farm that contained hundreds of bunkers. While doing this he personally led from the foremost line at all times. At midday on the 21.08.1942 Broich set out to the north from Prywolskj on this own initiative. In the fighting which ensued he broke through numerous enemy positions, destroyed several batteries in their firing positions and captured the commanding Hill 118 (18 km northwest of Prywolskj) at 14:35 following an uninterrupted multi-hour battle. He eliminated numerous enemy columns, and aerial reconnaissance confirmed that the entire Russian front in this area was thrown into flux by his broad and deep frontline penetration. His bold and independently directed thrust ensured that the 14. and 24. Panzer-Divisionen were able to win space towards the north along the vital east wing of the Panzer-Armee throughout the afternoon of the 21.08.1942 and the following day. This in turn established the preconditions for both Divisions to turn westwards and roll up the enemy frontline before Stalingrad.

Broich has particularly distinguished himself during all campaigns as a troop commander on account of his personal bravery and leadership abilities.”

Submitted on August 24th 1942.
Preliminary document and decoration on August 30th 1942 to Panzer-AOK 4.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher
• - FEDERL, CH., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2000.
  - 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.
  - WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 2004.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
  - Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum
  - Island Farm, Special Camp XI