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Pfeifer, Hans-Hellmuth (Generalleutnant)

Date of birth:
February 18th, 1894 (Altenburg/Saxe-Altenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
April 22nd, 1945 (near Finale/Province of Savona, Italy)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Futa-Pass
Plot: 49. Grave: 177.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Career:
July 5th, 1940: Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 185;
November 20th, 1942: Führer-Reserve, OKH;
June 15th, 1943 - July 10th, 1943: 5. Divisionsführer-Lehrgang, Berlin;
July 1942: z.V. Heeresgruppe Süd;
July 3rd, 1943 - August 3rd, 1943: m.d.F.b,. 332. Infanterie-Division';
December 1st, 1943 - April 22nd, 1945: Kommandeur 65. Infanterie-Division.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 65. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
September 5th, 1944
Awarded for his achievements as commander of the 65. Infanterie-Division during the Italian campaign, specifically at Anzio, Aprilia, the Alban hills, Velletri, the Arnostellung and the Green Line.


574th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 185, 87. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 26th, 1941
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
The Infanterie-Regiment 185, under the leadership of Oberstleutnant Pfeifer, contributed significantly to the splintering of the Vyazma pocket into two parts. This in turn hastened the disintegration and destruction of the trapped Soviet forces therein. Later on, by linking up with the 7. Panzer-Division, a great deal of much-needed relief was brought to those German Divisions fighting in a heavy defensive battle. Pfeifer would receive the Knight’s Cross for these actions in late 1941.

696th Award
Name is written in Fellgiebel as Hellmuth.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 185, 87. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Award 202/2.
Name is written in Patzwall / Scherzer as Helmuth.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiments 185, 87.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
June 16th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on October 5th 1916.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 5th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiments 185, 87.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
June 8th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 3rd 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 3rd, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 65. Infanterie-Division, 14. Armee, Heeresgruppe C
Awarded on:
June 2nd, 1944
In this section of the front have the 65th Infantry Division under Lieutenant General Pfeiffer (sic), augmented by parts of the 4th Airborne Division which reinforced the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division under Major General Hecker and units from the Army and the parachute troops assembled combat group under Lieutenant General Greiner, well supported by artillery and anti-aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe, particularly distinguished themselves.
Wehrmachtbericht

Sources

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