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Wolff, Freiherr von, Johann Gottlieb Hans (SR 28)

    Date of birth:
    March 19th, 1903 (Lindenberg-Riga, Latvia)
    Date of death:
    June 28th, 1944 (Ortslazarett Sanitäts-Kompanie 69 in Pinsk/Brest Oblast, Belarus)
    Buried on:
    German War Cemetery Berjosa
    Grave: UNK.
    Service number:
    SS-Nr.: 9.616 // NSDAP-Nr.: 460.352
    Nationality:
    German

    Biography

    Johann (Hans) Gottlieb Erich Victor Alexander Joseph Freiherr von Wolff died on 28th June 1944 in a fieldhospital of severe wounds sustained during a Granatwerfer (grenade thrower) training exercise of 4.Schwadron / Kosaken-Abteilung 69 on the same day.

    Served with 6.SS-Reiterstandarte until 1st April1937 and then left the SS

    Promotions:
    1st April 1922: Fahnenjunker
    3rd June 1935: Unteroffizier
    1st July 1935: Wachtmeister
    Thirties: SS-Untersturmführer
    Thirties: SS-Obersturmführer
    1st April 1936: Leutnant der Reserve
    1st April 1937: Oberleutnant
    1st April 1937: Rittmeister
    unknown: Hauptmann
    16th January 1942: Major
    unknown: Oberstleutnant
    1st November 1943: Oberst

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    Baltenkreuz 2. Klasse
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1936
    Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
    Awarded on:
    December 1st, 1936
    Goldenes SA-Sportabzeichen
    Awarded on:
    December 1st, 1936
    SS-Ehrenring
    Awarded on:
    1939
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    October 4th, 1939
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    May 24th, 1940
    Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Rittmeister
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 28, 8. Panzer-Division, Gruppe 'Guderian'
    Awarded on:
    July 13th, 1940
    The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Wolff received the Knight’s Cross…

    “Hauptmann Hans Freiherr von Wolff showed exceptional courage during every operation of his Bataillon. Being always present at the foremost line with a weapon in hand, he repeatedly inspired his men forward to success. He demonstrated particularly heroic bravery during the battle for Chaumont on the 14.06.1940. He and his men captured this commanding hilltop position despite the presence of strong opposing fieldworks.”

    123rd Award.
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 8, 8. Panzer-Division, Gruppe 'Guderian'
    Awarded on:
    July 13th, 1940
    Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)

    Bronze version.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 28, 8. Panzer-Division, Panzer-Gruppe 4
    Awarded on:
    January 16th, 1942
    Awarded the Oakleaves for the following actions...

    1. His achievement as commander of the lead Bataillon of Kampfgruppe B (8th Panzer Division). On the 22.06.1941 he and his Bataillon were able to seize the intact bridge at Rusenika and thus permitted the further advance of the division towards Rossitten.

    2. Capturing the towns of Pogostje and Maluksa on the 15.09.1941.

    3. His Bataillon's successes during the German advance on Tikhvin in October 1941.

    61st Award.
    Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
    Awarded on:
    August 1st, 1942
    Medaille
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberst (Colonel)
    Awarded on:
    November 30th, 1943
    Tapferkeitsauszeichnung für Angehörige der Ostvölker 2. Klasse in Silber

    Sources

    Photo