Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 489, 269. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 12th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 9th June 1917.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 489, 269. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 4th November 1918.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 489, 269. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 15th, 1941

The following wartime excerpt describes why Behrend was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“I endorse the recommendation for the awarding of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for Major Behrend, commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 489. This is for his actions on the 22.06.1941. On this day he decided to strike before the planned attack in order to take advantage of the morning fog and dust that had been created by the artillery’s preparatory fire. This enabled him to thrust deeply into the fortified lines to the southeast and east of Tauroggen. By doing this Major Behrend in turn enabled Kampfgruppe Badinski (which was fighting under the control of the 1. Panzer-Division) to break through to the eastern edge of Tauroggen and occupy the eastern part of Tauroggen itself.”

353rd Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 154,58. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1944

Awarded for his actions west of Luga at the start of February 1944. In this time Grenadier-Regiment 154 became separated from the rest of the 58. Infanterie-Division during the defensive combat in the area. The Regiment was attacked by an entire Soviet Division, and at the same time partisan forces cut off all of its rearward connections.

Major Behrend would act with iron resolve while being encircled behind enemy lines with his Regiment for 3 days. Leading at the head of the attached Aufklärungs-Abteilung 158, he captured three-quarters of the village of Potschap before being attacked by strong Soviet reinforcements. Mahor Behrend then led the spearhead of his unit around the attackers, reached the Pljussa river under the cover of darkness, crossed it and then eventually reached the German lines on the 13.02.1944.

421st Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 18th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalmajor (Brigadier)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 490.Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 26th, 1945

Awarded for his actions during his Division’s defense of the Fladder canal. In this time Behrend personally destroyed an allied tank with a Panzerfaust. After the Division had been encircled by the Allies, Behrend proceeded to lead his troops in a breakout. 14 Sherman tanks were destroyed in the process, mostly with Panzerfausts.

148th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)