Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt, Graf von, Walter
- Date of birth:
- July 13th, 1887 (Perleberg/Brandenburg, Germany)
- Date of death:
- May 9th, 1943 (Berlin-Zehlendorf/Prussia, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Died in the Reservelazarett 123.
Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- September 19th, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 20th, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
- Unit:
- Kommandierender General II.Armeekorps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
- Awarded on:
- July 15th, 1941
“On the 24.06.1941 General der Infanterie Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt, the commanding general of the II. Armee-Korps, decided to capture the Russian fortress of Kowno on this day under any circumstances. The capture of this fortress was of decisive importance for the continuation of operations in this area. On the 27. and 28.06.1941 he went on to smash several Russian divisions northeast of Kowno over the course of uninterrupted heavy combat within very difficult terrain.”
348th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
- Unit:
- Kommandierender General II.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
- Awarded on:
- June 27th, 1942
The following wartime excerpt describes why Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt was awarded the Oakleaves…
“On the 23.06.1942 [no typo] General der Infanterie Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt received the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for the brave steadfastness of his troops and for his own leadership abilities. This award serves as visible recognition for his soldiers’ honourable and heroic combat during the battle of Demyansk. The commanding general received this award for both the efforts of his 6 divisions as well as his own personal disposition. Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt exuded confidence and firmness during all crisis situations, and in this capacity he served as a model for his soldiers. How often did his Grenadiers, Pioniere and Kanoniere see the ‘Fieseler-Storch’ of the General over their positions? And yet few knew that this officer suffered from severe rheumatic pain. He did not let his soldiers become aware that he had this disease, instead he only let them see only one thing: devotion to duty.”
103rd Award.
“On the 23.06.1942 [no typo] General der Infanterie Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt received the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for the brave steadfastness of his troops and for his own leadership abilities. This award serves as visible recognition for his soldiers’ honourable and heroic combat during the battle of Demyansk. The commanding general received this award for both the efforts of his 6 divisions as well as his own personal disposition. Graf Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt exuded confidence and firmness during all crisis situations, and in this capacity he served as a model for his soldiers. How often did his Grenadiers, Pioniere and Kanoniere see the ‘Fieseler-Storch’ of the General over their positions? And yet few knew that this officer suffered from severe rheumatic pain. He did not let his soldiers become aware that he had this disease, instead he only let them see only one thing: devotion to duty.”
103rd Award.
Sources
- Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1993.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Kwasny A. und G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- 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
- Wehrmacht Deathcard
Photo
Looking for reliable information or news facts about WW2? Do you want to create your own battlefield tour to sights of wars from the past? Or are you interested in war medals and their recipients? TracesOfWar.com tells you more!
More information
© STIWOT, 1999-2024. All rights reserved. Privacy statement, cookies, disclaimer and copyright