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Clößner, Erich

Date of birth:
September 17th, 1888 (Gießen/Hessen, Germany)
Date of death:
March 28th, 1976 (Kostanz, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Full name Erich Heinrich Philipp Karl Albert Reinhard Clößner.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 19th, 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  1.Klasse, 25 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 20th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur 25.Infanterie-Division / XVIII.Armeekorps / 9.Armee / Heeresgruppe A
Awarded on:
September 29th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt describes why Clößner was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Over the course of the 05.-07.06.1940 Generalleutnant Clößner led his troops forwards over the Oise-Aisne Kanal, and afterwards stormed the Chemin des Dames and the Laffaux heights with his men.”

The following press excerpt from October 1940 further details these actions as follows…

“Between the 05. and 10.06.1940 Generalleutnant Clößner decisively contributed to the breakthrough victory of his Korps as well as the subsequent pursuit battles along the Aisne Canal and Marne river through the masterful leadership of his Division. During the assault across the Marne river his Division served as the pacemaker for the young neighbouring Divisionen against the desperately defending enemy. In doing so he brought about a military accomplishment of unusually high merit.”

80th Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Infanterie
Unit:
Kommandierender General LIII Armeekorps / 2.Panzerarmee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
July 15th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Awarding 144/2
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 20th, 1942
Medaille

Sources

Photo