Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

General de Divizie (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandierender General rum. VI. Armeekorps

Awarded on:

August 9th, 1942

The following newspaper article (dated 07.08.1942) describes why Dragalina received the Knight’s Cross…

“Knight’s Cross for a Brave Romanian General - Generalleutnant Dragalina Honoured / Bolshevik Formations Smashed:

The Führer has awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Generalleutnant Dragalina, the commanding general of a Romanian Army Corps. He is the third officer of the Romanian army to be so decorated. Such recognition is due to the great achievements that he rendered at the head o his brave troops.

Generalleutnant Dragalina comes from a long military lineage. He was appointed to command a Romanian Army Corps in 1941 after previously serving an important position in the Romanian general staff and commanding a division. At the beginning of the 1941/42 winter campaign in the Crimea he distinguished himself through his bravery and personal intervention in the hotspots of combat. He continued to do so for the remainder of the winter fighting during the heavy defensive combat along the Donez, and later led his Corps to success during the encirclement battle at Kharkov. Here his personal devotion to duty was outstanding. Dragalina’s divisions have gone on to demonstrate great military comradeship with German troops during the course of the great new offensive. Their achievements have already been acknowledged in the Wehrmachtbericht.

This General’s energy in battle has been of decisive significance, above all during the fighting north of the Donez at the start of July. After the right wing of his Corps had forced a penetration in the enemy defenses as was intended, he immediately decided to utilize this success. He compelled all of his divisions to strike without mercy along the entire length of the frontline, which resulted in the Bolshevik formations being shattered. This total success is attributable to the bold initiative of Generalleutnant Dragalina and the bravery of his Romanians. Thanks to the General’s swift resolve here the enemy forces in his area were prevented from launching their intended delaying attacks into the flank of the other Armee that was on the attack in the adjacent sector.

Such a high honour for Generalleutnant Dragalina is simultaneously a tribute to the brave actions of his Romanian units. With this their self-sacrifice and military camaraderie with the German and Allied forces in the East has received its due recognition.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

General de corp de armată (Lieutenant-general)

Unit:

Comandantul Corpului 6 armată

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1942

DR 2549

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)