Castell-Castell, Graf zu, Prosper Friedrich Karl
- Date of birth:
- September 4th, 1922 (Köstritz / Gera)
- Date of death:
- January 3rd, 1989 (Castell / Franken)
- Buried on:
- Fürstenfriedhof der Castell-Castells
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
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Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- November 17th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- December 21st, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- March 26th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- September 10th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- November 25th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- February 5th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Führer 9./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 14 / 5. Panzer-Division
- Awarded on:
- February 23rd, 1944
“On the 23.02.1944 the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to Oberleutnant der Reserve Graf zu Castell-Castell, former commander of the 9./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 14, as the 18th officer of the Division to be so honoured.
On the 08.01.1944 the Russians launched a surprise attack against the II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 14 with 3 divisions. The furiously launched enemy attack had enough power to tear open the front in a short time, allowing the enemy to prepare for their main thrust to the west. The danger now existed that the flank of the 5. Panzer-Division and the entire XX. Armee-Korps would be outflanked. More than this it was feared that the enemy would succeed in breaking through towards Kalinkowitschi.
Oberleutnant Graf zu Castell-Castell recognized the impending danger and took up the defensive battle on his own initiative from an open firing position. He placed the attacking Russians under direct fire and created a new defensive front with his men.
Thus Oberleutnant Graf zu Castell prevented the enemy from achieving their goal of seizing Kalinkowitschi through his own determined action and outstanding personal courage.
Oberleutnant Graf zu Castell was heavily wounded during this fighting. I give Oberleutnant Graf zu Castell my best congratulations on receiving this high honour on behalf of the entire Division.”
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- September 20th, 1944
Sources
- - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1998.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
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