Grünert, Richard (Panzergrenadier-Regiment 7)
- Date of birth:
- October 8th, 1899 (Ströbel/Landkreis Schweidnitz/Silesia, Germany)
- Date of death:
- March 13th, 1943 (Malaya Kamenka, Isjum, Rostov, Soviet Union)
- Buried on:
- German War Cemetery Kharkiv
Plot: 5. Row: 12. Grave: 983.
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
00.00.1917: Kriegsfreiwilliger
00.00.1929: promoted to Unteroffizier
00.00.1937: promoted to Leutnant der Reserve
00.08.1939: Schützen-Regiment 7
00.00.1939: Leutnant der Reserve, Kompanieführer, Schützen-Regiment 7, campaign in Poland
00.00.1940: campaign in France
00.06.1941: campaign in Russia - Vilna
14.10.1941: promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve, Führer, 3. Schwadron, Kradschützen-Bataillon 7 - Wjasma Pocket
00.00.1942: promoted to Hauptmann der Reserve
00.05.1942: Hauptmann der Reserve, Führer, I. Bataillon, Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 7, 7. Panzer-Division, France
00.06.1942: I. Bataillon, Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 7, 7. Panzer-Division, Russia
01.02.1943: promoted to Major der Reserve, Führer, I. Bataillon, Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 7, 7. Panzer-Division
13.03.1943: Major der Reserve, Führer, I. Bataillon, Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 7, 7. Panzer-Division, KIA by a handgrenade at Malaja Kamenka
00.03.1943: posthumously promoted to Obersleutnant der Reserve
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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:
- Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Führer, 3. Schwadron, Kradschützen-Bataillon 7, 7. Panzer-Division, LVI. Armee-Korps, 9. Armee, Heeresgruppe Mitte
- Awarded on:
- October 14th, 1941
After already distinguishing himself during the capture of Vilnius, Grünert would go on to deliver an outstanding performance during Operation Typhoon on the 03.10.1941 at Matrjonina and later on the 11.-12.10.1941 when reaching an important highway. In this latter action, taking place near Vyazma, he and his troops stormed a well-camouflaged position along the highway as well as some high ground nearby. After his Zug leader had fallen Grünert led his men forward into combat personally and was able to capture this Soviet blocking position after a hard fight. He would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for the sum of these achievements.
736th Award
On the morning of the 10.03.1943, near a Soviet bridgehead over the Donez river, the city of Kamenka and the nearby village of Donetzkij was overrun by attacking Soviet troops. In response Major Grünert launched a counterthrust with his Bataillon to recapture Kamenka even though his unit was running low on ammunition. After quickly assembling for this Grünert and his men succeeded in retaking the city, and by doing so they prevented a Soviet breakthrough in the area. Grünert, who would die in battle a few days later, received the Oakleaves for his decisive actions here.
244st Award. Posthumously awarded.
Sources
- Photo 1: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - 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
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
- Manteuffel, von H., Die 7. Panzer-Division – Bewaffnung, Einsätze, Männer, Nebel Verlag GmbH, Eggolsheim, Deutschland, 2001