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Darius, Wolfgang (Panzer-Abteilung 21)

Date of birth:
April 2nd, 1911 (Blankenhain/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
November 18th, 2000 (Bonn/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
00.00.1936: Gefreiter der Reserve
00.00.1937: Unteroffizier d. R.
00.00.1938: Feldwebel d. R.
00.00.1939: Leutnant d. R.
00.00.1939: Leutnant (aktiv)
00.00.1939: Oberleutnant
00.00.1942: Hauptmann
01.11.1943: Major

Career:
00.00.1934-00.00.1935: Arbeitsdienst
00.00.1935: joined the Wehrmacht
Zugführer, Aufklärungs-Abteilung (motorisiert) 4, 1. Panzer-Division
Chef, 6. Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 1, 1. Panzer-Division
Kommandeur, Panzer-Abteilung 21, 20. Panzer-Division
Kommandeur, Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4, 1. Panzer-Division
Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment „Feldherrnhalle"

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1940
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 22nd, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen DRL für Versehrte 1942
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Panzer-Abteilung 21, 20. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
August 22nd, 1943
The following press excerpt describes why Darius would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“During the fighting north of Orel Hauptmann Wolfgang Darius recognized the attack of a fresh enemy tank brigade into the flank of the German defensive front just in the nick of time. He threw himself against the Soviets in a bold counterthrust and destroyed 48 enemy tanks with his Abteilung.”

Submitted on August 17th 1943.
Preliminary document to Armeeoberkommando 9 on August 26th 1943.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kdr, Panzer-Abteilung 21
Awarded on:
September 8th, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen III Stufe
Panzertruppenschule Bergen

Sources

  • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
  • Photo 2:
  • Photo 3:
  • Photo: Willi Schumacher Collection - https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5
  • - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
    - Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
    - Federl, C., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, Germany, 2000
    - das-ritterkreuz.de
    - Onderzoek via Panzer-Archiv Forum

Photos