Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 7th, 1941

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on August 25th 1917.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 23rd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiments-Stab z.b.V.165 / 5.Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Afrika

Awarded on:

April 11th, 1943

Fullriede’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 09.04.1943 Oberstleutnant Fritz Fullriede, commander of the Grenadier-Regimentstab z.b.V. 165, accomplished a decisive feat of arms. Along with his weak subordinated Kampfgruppe, which he personally led at all the hotspots of combat with great bravery, he prevented a breakthrough attempt by the entire 6th English Armoured Division (which probably fought alongside strong elements of the US 2nd Armored Division). On the evening of that day he rounded up straggler groups of the DAK that were retreating to the north. With these he launched a counterattack against strong enemy elements that had penetrated the German line through Fonduk in the direction of Kairouan, threw them back and thereby eliminated the potential threat they posed. In the process of doing this he showed exceptional energy and personal initiative. On the 09.04.1943 Kampfgruppe Fullriede alone destroyed 60 enemy tanks. As a result of their heavy losses here the enemy gave up any attempts to break through towards Kairouan for the time being. This success, of decisive importance for the retreat of the bulk of the DAK as well as of 1. Armee, is almost exclusively to the credit of Oberstleutnant Fullriede. This deed by Oberstleutnant Fullriede on the 09.04.1943 is a culmination of the proud successes hitherto that he had accomplished in the mid-Tunisian area with his Kampfgruppe.

The immediate award of the Knight’s Cross for this exceptional, brave, energetic and decisive officer is urgently requested in view of the current fighting situation here.

Heeresgruppe Afrika agrees with this proposition.”

1725th Award.
Submitted on April 10th 1943.
Preliminary document and decoration on April 22nd 1943 to Heeresgruppe Afrika.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kampfkommandant Festung Kolberg / 3.Panzerarmee / Heeresgruppe Weichsel

Awarded on:

March 23rd, 1945

Awarded for his defense of Fortress Kolberg in the time period 04.-18.03.1945. Despite receiving surrender demands on two occasions Fullriede succeeded in establishing and directing the defenses of the city up until the end of the siege. On one occasion a counterattack of his succeeding in destroying 5 out of 8 attacking Soviet tanks and forcing the remainder to retreat. At 06:30 on the 18.03.1945 Oberst Fullriede boarded the destroyer “Z 43” as part of the last group of combatants to leave. All 80000 soldiers and civilians in the encircled city, including women and children, were evacuated by sea thanks to the heroic efforts of the city’s defenders and its commander.

803rd Award.
Submitted on March 15th 1945

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

July 20th, 1918

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 20th, 1941