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
- Awarded on:
- October 2nd, 1936
- Awarded on:
- October 2nd, 1936
- 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.
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
- Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo 2:
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
- Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- Infanterie-Bataillon 540 z.b.V. - Lexikon der Wehrmacht
- Kretschmar
- Wolfgang Hans Kretzschmar | Gräbersuche-Online