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Hirschfeld, von, Harald (Generalleutnant)

Date of birth:
July 10th, 1912 (Weimar/Saxe-Weimar, Germany)
Date of death:
January 18th, 1945 (Dukla Pass, near Tarnów, Poland)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Laurahütte
Grave: UNK.
Service number:
SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Generalmajor Harald Siegwart Hans-Lutze von Hirschfeld

Promotions:
30.09.1936: Gefreiter der Reserve - ROA
12.11.1936: Oberjäger der Reserve
10.12.1936: Feldwebel der Reserve
01.09.1937: Leutnant der Reserve
01.08.1938: Leutnant
01.06.1940: Oberleutnant (1137)
30.01.1942: new RDA 01.11.1939 (3a)
01.04.1942: Hauptmann
21.01.1943: Major
01.12.1943: Oberstleutnant
01.06.1944: Oberst
15.01.1945: Generalmajor
10.02.1945: Generalleutnant (posthumously)

Career:
00.03.1933: joined the NSDAP and the SA
01.07.1933: Adjutant, Polizeipräsident, Kassel
00.04.1935-00.10.1935: RAD
29.10.1935: Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99, Kempten im Allgäu
12.10.1936: Lt. d.R., Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98
10.07.1938: Lehrgang, Kriegsschule Potsdam
10.11.1938: Lt., Adjutant, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division
01.07.1939: Lt., Zugführer, 16. Panzerabwehr-Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division
01.09.1939: Lt., Ordonnanzoffizier, Stab, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division - campaign in Poland
09.12.1939: Lt., Zugführer, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division
23.01.1940: Lt., Kompanieführer, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division - campaign in the West
25.11.1940: Olt., O3, Stab, 1. Gebirgs-Division
06.12.1940: Olt., Chef, 7. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division
00.06.1941: campaign in Russia
26.04.1942: Hptm., Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division - Caucasus
19.01.1943-15.06.1943: Führerreserve OKH
01.07.1943: Major, Battaillonskommandeur, Führerreserve, 1. Gebirgs-Division
03.10.1943: Major, Führer, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98
01.12.1943: Oberstleutnant, Kommandeur, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98
21.07.1944: Oberst, Führerreserve
00.08.1944: Oberst, Divisionsführer-Lehrgang
00.09.1944: Oberst, appointed Führer, 564. Volksgrenadier-Division
15.09.1944: Oberst, appointed Führer, 337. Volksgrenadier-Division
22.09.1944: Oberst, appointed Führer, 78. Volks-Sturm-Division
15.01.1945: Generalmajor, Kdr., 78. Infanterie-Division after renaming
18.01.1945: severely WIA during an air raid near the bridge on the River Dunja during the defense of the Dukla Pass, region Pieniny, southern Poland - DOW in the arms of his adjutant on their way to the nearest aid station

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Awarded on:
1939
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
June 28th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 23rd, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
September 23rd, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1941

Version with Swords.
Ordinul Coroana Romaniei Cavaler
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 15th, 1941
The following excerpt describes Hirschfeld’s Knight’s Cross action…

“During September 1941 the Soviets encircled the village of Alexandrowka, and then launched repeated attacks against the village with overwhelming forces. However its defenders successfully fended these off largely thanks to the exemplary bravery and prudence of their commander, Oberleutnant von Hirschfeld. He was always present at the hotspots of the battle, inspiring his men to join him in counterattacks to destroy any enemy forces that had penetrated into the village. His leadership meant that the village could be held until its relief by follow-up forces.

The capture of the village of Alexandrowka (located in the rear of the enemy front) as well as its later successful defense despite being encircled enabled Kampfgruppe Picker to achieve an early breakthrough and a subsequent swift advance past the Soviet positions.”

660th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1st, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 1. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 23rd, 1942
The following excerpt describes Hirschfeld’s Oakleaves action as follows…

“During the battle of Barwenkowo, taking place in May 1942, Harald von Hirschfeld launched a forward thrust with his Bataillon that penetrated to a depth of 10 km. It managed to reach the enemy artillery positions, and the Bataillon was able to capture several batteries in hard close-combat.

On the evening of the 17.08.1942, during the fighting in the Caucasus, he stormed the important 2816 metre high Kluchor Pass (which was of crucial importance for the continued friendly operations). After this he was decisively involved in the friendly thrust northeast of Tuapse. Here, under his outstanding leadership, his Gebirgsjäger broke through 12 enemy defensive positions (while storming over 350 bunkers in the process) during two weeks of hard fighting. The exemplary military performance of this frontline officer, who had been wounded no less than 8 times, was considered worthy of the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

164th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

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