Deegener, Johannes

Date of birth:: February 9th, 1905 (Wuppertal-Vohwinkel/Rhineprovince, Germany)
Date of death:: July 31st, 1943 (Lake Ladoga, Russia)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant im Generalstab (Lieutenant-colonel to the General Staff)
Unit:: Führer Jäger-Regiment 49 / 28.Jäger-Division
Awarded on:: August 22nd, 1943

During July 1943 Oberstleutnant Deegener assumed command of Jäger-Regiment 49 after its previous commander had fallen ill. While serving in this capacity he and his Jägern defended against heavy enemy attacks for five days. He then led his Regiment in a counterattack while personally fighting from the foremost line, and after the commander of the main attacking Bataillon had been badly wounded he also personally took control of this unit. Oberstleutnant Deegener himself was heavily wounded during this counterattack, however it ultimately led to a total success. He was as such decorated with the Knight’s Cross in recognition of this feat.

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Sources

- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1998.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- 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