TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Ens, Karl

Date of birth:
March 21st, 1896 (Schön-Münzach, Germany)
Date of death:
April 15th, 1945 (missing near Görlitz/Saxony, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

During the First World War, Ens was Leutnant in the Baden Grenadier Regiment. During this war he received both Iron Crosses, the Knight cross with Swords to the House order of Hohenzollern, the Knight Cross of the Baden Karl Friedrich Verdienst Order, the Knight Cross 2nd class with Swords of the Baden Zähringen Lion and the Verwundeten Abzeichen in Silver.
Karl Ens finally reached the rank of Oberst during the Second World War. He was missing in action on 15th April 1945 and was formally declared dead by the AG Baiersbronn on 11th December 1957.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur II. / Infanterie-Regiment 125
Awarded on:
May 14th, 1941
The following wartime excerpt describes why Ens would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“During the Regiment’s assault against the Rupel Position in the Struma valley (06.-10.04.1941), Major Ens led the eastern assault group, which was designated as the primary attacking formation. Despite the great defensive capabilities of these important positions Major Ens and his Bataillon succeeded in breaking through. Over the course of a night-long battle and a further advance, the Bataillon would go on to reach the extremely distant, ambitious attack objective in the rear of the enemy. Here Major Ens held out against several attacks by strong Greek forces despite a lack of ammunition and supplies, and from this point he established the decisive bridgehead for the breakthrough of the Struma valley.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 17th, 1943
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS

Sources

Photo