Brückner, von, Erich

Date of birth:: September 2nd, 1896 (Metz/Lorraine, Germany)
Date of death:: April 6th, 1949 (Krailling/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
December 1st, 1940: Oberstleutnant (RDA -5-)'
June 1st, 1942: Oberst (RDA -40-).

Career:
?: Kommandeur Panzerjäger-Abteilung 34;
January 1940: Führerreserve OKH;
July 1940: Kommandeur Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12;
July 1942: Führerreserve OKH;
August 1st, 1942; Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 126.

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12, 12. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: March 25th, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg", Panzergrenadier-Division Brandenburg, Heer
Awarded on:: March 11th, 1945

During the major Soviet offensive in January 1945 the Jäger-Regiment 1 ‘Brandenburg’ became overtaken by events as it moved towards the front. Elements of the Regiment as well as its staff found themselves encircled in Lissa at the end of the month. 2000 German soldiers found themselves within the Soviet ring, however the latter only left minimal forces to secure the trap and so the defenders found themselves in a useless defensive position. In this situation the garrison sought a breakout as the only viable solution.

Oberst von Brückner was tasked with leading the breakout. On the evening of the 02.02.1945 a Kampfgruppe was assembled and the breakout launched. Secured by Brückner’s Kampfgruppe, the breakout succeeded and the German lines near Glogau were reached on the morning of the next day. The troops that had broken out could thus be immediately used to reinforce the Oder bridgehead at Steinau.

Oberst von Brückner was later awarded the Knight’s Cross for executing the important breakout from Lissa in such a masterful fashion.