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Kretzschmar, Wolfgang Hans (Jäger-Regiment 24)

Date of birth:
July 2nd, 1907 (Allenstein/Eastern Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:
December 27th, 1944 (Saldus, Latvia)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Frauenburg / Saldus
Plot: U1. Row: 16. Grave: 471.
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
00.00.1926: Einjährig-Freiwilliger
00.00.1923: Fahnenjunker
00.00.1931: Leutnant
00.00.1935: Oberleutnant
00.00.1939: Hauptmann
00.01.1942: Major
01.02.1944: Oberstleutnant
01.08.1944: Oberst

Career:
1926: Infanterie-Regiment 3;
?: Stab, Infanterie-Regiment 45;
1936: Ausbildungsoffizier, Infanterieschule Döberitz;
? - 1938: Stabsoffiziersausbildung, Kriegsakademie;
?: Stab, X. Armeekorps;
February 18th, 1940: Bataillonskommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 506;
January 1941: Lehrgangsleiter/Taktikausblider, Infanterieschule;
June 16th, 1942 - August 1942: Kommandant, Infanterie-Bataillon z.b.V. 540;
winter 1942 - July 21st, 1943: Kommandant, Grenadier-Bataillon z.b.V. 540;
December 1943: Kommandeur, Jäger-Regiment 24(L);
November 1944 - 27 decemb er 1944: stellvertretender Führer, 12. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division;

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Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 12th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 1940
WIA 11.06.1940
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 23rd, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kdr., Infanterie-Bataillon z.b.V. 560, Heerestruppe
Awarded on:
March 17th, 1943

1607th Award.
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Bataillon 540 z.b.V, Heer
Awarded on:
May 15th, 1943
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 22./23.05.1943) describes why Kretzschmar received the Knight’s Cross…

“Major Kretzschmar held an important hill (of decisive importance for the entire sector) south of Lake Ladoga in the face of persistent assaults by massed enemy forces.”

This action took place at the end of January / start of February 1943. In this time Kretzschmar particularly distinguished himself in the aftermath of a Soviet penetration at the boundary with his left neighbour. Kretzschmar assembled a response force with troops from his right wing and personally led his handful of men in a counterattack which restored the situation.

1799th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
July 1943
WIA 11.06.1940 00.08.1942 + 21.07.1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Jäger-Regiment 24(L), 12. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 30th, 1944
Awarded for the outstanding defense of his Regiment against assaults by the Soviet 1st Shock Army at the Wirtz Lake. Only after the 13th enemy tank supported attack did the front break on the 15.09.1944 at Ergli.

600th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Jäger-Regiment 24(L), 12. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
January 12th, 1945
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
Awarded for his actions during the 3rd Battle of Courland. In this time the 12. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division was stationed in the area around Dzukste. Kretzschmar and his regiment stood like a rock in the surf in this battle, before Kretzschmar himself was killed with a weapon in his hand. For his utter devotion to his duties, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice, he would be recognized appropriately.

121st Award.
Awarded posthumously.

Sources

Photos