Date of birth:

July 20th, 1917 (Nürnberg/Bavaria, Germany)

Date of death:

January 15th, 1999 (Mittenwald/Bavaria, Germany)

Nationality:

German

23.10.1937: RAD Abteilung 4/282, Lager Lechfeld
05.11.1937: Nachrichten-Zug, I. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, Brannenburg
10.11.1938: Nachrichtenmann, 5. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100
30.08.1939: Nachrichten-Zugführer, Gebirgsjäger-Nachrichten-Ersatz-Kompanie 1, Oberammergau
24.10.1939: Nachrichtenzug, 5. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99
01.12.1939: promoted to Gefreiten der Reserve - campaign in the West
01.12.1940: promoted to Obergefreiten der Reserve
00.00.1941: campaign in the Balkans then in Russia
00.02.1942: sevrely frozen and evacuated to the Lazarett
00.03.1942: fightings around Rostov
21.07.1942: sent to the Kriegslazarett 4/007 to resume treatment for his former frostbites then sent to the Reserve-Lazarett in Budweis for further operation and attached to the Gebirgs-Nachrichten-Ersatz-Kompanie 1
09.10.1942: Gebirgsjäger-Nachrichten-Ersatz-Kompanie 1
30.12.1942: 5. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99
13.04.1943: WIA and sent to a Lazarett
01.05.1943: promoted to Stabsgefreiten der Reserve
00.06.1943: 3. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99 - campaign in Russia then in the Balkans
25.12.1944: severe fightings near Grabovo, Croatia
27.12.1944: promoted to Oberjäger der Reserve
01.03.1945: promoted to Feldwebel der Reserve
01.06.1945: surrendered at Tittlingen - US POW
16.06.1946: released
15.12.1955: Nachrichtentruppe, Fernmelde-Lehr-Bataillon, Sonthofen
00.02.1956: Brigade-Fernmelde-Kompanie 104
01.09.1956: 1. Gebirgs-Division
00.00.1958: Zugführer, Gebirgs-Fernmelde-Kompanie 8
00.00.1960: Ausbildungsleiter für Unteroffizier- und Funkmeisterlehrgänge, Feldjägerschule Sonthofen
00.00.1963: Zugführer, Ausbildungs-Kompanie 1/8
00.00.1966: Funkmeister und Kompanie-Truppführer, 3. Kompanie, Gebirgs-Versorgungs-Bataillons 8
30.09.1969: retired as Hauptfeldwebel

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Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 12th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 12th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 17th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 6th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Stabsgefreiter (Staff Lance Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, 3. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99, 1. Gebirgs-Division

Awarded on:

February 10th, 1945

The following divisional order of the day (dated 16.02.1945) describes why Audenrieth was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 10.02.1945 the Führer awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Stabsgefreiter (by now promoted to Oberjäger) Georg Audenrieth of the 3./Geb.Jäg.Rgt. 99.

Audenrieth particularly distinguished himself through particular bravery during the heavy defensive combat at Grabovo (Croatia) on the 25.12.1944.

During the early morning of this day, the first day of Christmas, the Bulgarians attacked through the thick mist following an hour-long artillery barrage. Along with the support of elite communist troops, they succeeded in achieving a penetration. Strong enemy forces swiftly dug in behind our frontline in order to consolidate their control over the village and the nearby friendly fieldworks. The situation appeared hopeless.

The attacking Bulgarian-Russian brigade sustained heavy losses in this fight, 300 dead Bolsheviks littered the battlefield.

Totally alone, and without any contact with his superiors, Audenrieth commenced a counterthrust with just 2 men. His aim was to crush the much larger enemy force.

Under fire from numerous enemy weapons, he managed to throw back the foe in close combat. He succeeded in once again restoring contact with the left neighbour.

52 dead Bolsheviks covered the battlefield. 1 officer and 17 men were personally taken prisoner by Audenrieth. He also captured 7 MGs, 20 machine-pistols and numerous rifles.

It was Audenrieth’s bravery and decisiveness which ensured the elimination of the enemy penetration here and the holding of the defensive front in this sector.

I congratulate both Oberjäger Audenrieth and the entire Regiment in light of this high honour. On behalf of the whole Division, I also give him my thanks for the outstanding merit he has wrought on the battlefield.”

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
• - HUß, JÜRGEN & SONDERMANN, HEINZ-WERNER, Ritterkreuzträger im Mannschaftsstand 1941-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2009.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum
  - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945