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Below, von, Gerd-Paul Valerian Georg Heinrich

Date of birth:
November 30th, 1892 (Straßburg, Uckermarck/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
December 8th, 1953 (POW Camp Nr. 48, Voikovo, Ivanovo, Moscow, Soviet Union)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Cherntsy
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Gerd-Paul von Below finally reached the rank of Generalmajor der Reserve as Kommandeur 207.Sicherheits-Division.

Promotions:
Fähnrich (18 May 1912);
Leutnant (23 Mar 1914);
Oberleutnant (18 Aug 1918);
Hauptmann der Reserve (23 Sep 1935);
Major der Reserve (01 Jan 1939);
Oberstleutnant der Reserve (01 Mar 1942);
Oberst der Reserve (01 May 1943);
Generalmajor der Reserve (20 Apr 1945).

24.10.1911-1914: Fahnenjunker - 2. Pommersche Ulanen-Regiment Nr. 9 - Preußischen Armee
23.03.1914: promoted to Leutnant - Patent 16. Juni 1913
09.1914: Zugführer in Belgium
11.1914: engaged with 2. Pommersche Ulanen-Regiment Nr. 9 in North of France and Eastern front
1914: Grenzschutz der ostpreußischen Südgrenze
02.1915: Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes then campaign in Romanian
1917-1918: Western front
18.08.1918: promoted to Oberleutnant
12.1918: demobilization on the Regiment
31.03.1920: retired from the Reichswehr
23.09.1935: promoted to Hauptmann der Reserve - Infanterie-Regiment 4
1938: transferred to the Infanterie-Regiment 374 - 207. Infanterie-Division
26.08.1939-22.11.1941: Kommandeur - III. Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 374 - 207. Infanterie-Division
09.1939-06.1940: Campaing in Poland and the Netherlands
06.01.1941-01.02.1941: Regiments-Führer Lehrgang
22.11.1941-04.02.1942: Infanterie-Regiment 374 - 207. Sicherungs-Division
04.02.1942-20.01.1943: Kdr - Infanterie-Regiment 374 - 207. Sicherungs-Division
Second Battle of the Lake Ladoga
19.01.1943: blocked the soviet breakthrough on Ssinjawino Hills with the remnants of his regiment
20.01.1943-15.05.1943: taken ill to the Lazarett
28.02.1943: awarded the RK for the recapture and defense of the village of Possjolok
where Oberst d.R. von Below was severely WIA
05.1943: back to his Regiment
30.09.1944-30.01.1945: Führer-Reserve - OKH
19.10.1944-15.11.1944: 15. Divisions-Führer-Lehrgang
04.02.1945: promoted to Generalmajor der Reserve
09.02.1945-20.04.1945: Führer - Divisions-Stab z. b. V. 615
20.04.1945-08.05.1945: Kommandeur - Divisions-Stab z. b. V. 615
08.05.1945-08.12.1953: captured by the soviet troops in Silesia
08.12.1953: DOW in the soviet POW camp Nr. 48 (5110/48) in Voikovo near the city of Ivanovo and unofficially known as the "Generals camp"

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 6th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 28th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst der Reserve (Colonel of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, verstärktes Grenadier-Regiment 374, 227. Infanterie-Division, XXVI. Armeekorps, 18. Armee, Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
February 28th, 1943
On the 19.01.1943 the remnants of Grenadier-Regiment 374 found themselves not far from the Siniavino Heights as the Soviets achieved a penetration beneath this high ground. They captured the village of Possjolok 6 and threatened to cut off the Siniavino Heights entirely. In response Oberst von Below launched a counterattack with his Grenadiers against the Soviet enveloping arm. They retook the village of Possjolok 6 and held it until being relieved on the following morning. By doing this they closed the frontline gap, saved the Korps’ artillery and secured the German grip on the Siniavino Heights. Oberst von Below would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this feat.

Nr. 1563
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Sources

Photo