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Driver, Helmut (Panzergrenadier-Regiment 6)

Date of birth:
May 8th, 1914 (Sonderburg/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
April 1st, 1936: Leutnant;
April 1st, 1939: Oberleutnant;
March 1st, 1942: Hauptmann (RDA: -25-).

Career:
April 1st, 1934: 1. preußische Kraftfahrabteilung;
February 13th, 1936: Schützenregiment 3;
November 19th, 1938: Kavallerieschützenregiment 6;
September 1st, 1939: Führer 7. Kompanie, Schützen-Regiment 6;
October 1st, 1942: Panzer-Grenadierregiment 382;
October 8th, 1942: Bataillonsführer;
February 1st, 1943: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 382.

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Awarded on:
October 19th, 1935
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 3, 3. Panzer-Division, Wehrmacht
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1938
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 22nd, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 22nd, 1939
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
December 12th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
December 12th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 17th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 21st, 1940

Bronze version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 4th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 24th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Chef, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 6, 7. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 17th, 1942
War diary (NARA T-315 R-422 0740) of his unit:

15.02.1942
From: General Command LVI Army Corps (mot.)
Daily report to A.O.K. 9

In the last defensive battles, First Lieutenant Driver (7th Panzer Division) distinguished himself by bold bravado, rousing momentum and the highest sense of responsibility. Especially on 19.12.1941 at Kuschowo (19 kilometres east of Lataschina) - Telegina (12 kilometres east of Lataschina), when he and his company repulsed the numerically far superior enemy in energetic counterattacks, which were constantly led by himself. In the critical moments, he was the calming pole around which the soldiers gathered. Through his self-confident behaviour and through the full commitment of his own person, he repeatedly gave the heavily worn troop the necessary self-confidence and thus prevented the enemy from achieving his desired goal, namely breaking through the regiment's position, even once. First Lieutenant Driver thus played an outstanding role in the success of the difficult retreat battles of the entire regiment.

Ia
General Command LVI A. K. (mot.)

A personal judgement by his regimental commander:

07.09.1942
Statement of Hasso von Manteuffel on the occasion of his transfer:

Exemplary officer and leader of his men in combat. Trained them very well. Recommended for the German Cross in Gold and for preferential promotion by naming in the (tactical) battle report of the division. Fully qualified for battalion commander.

O.U. 7.9.1942 (signed) v. Manteuffel
Colonel and Commander 7th Panzergrenadierbrigade
until 15.7. commander Panzergrenadierregiment 6
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Stab, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 382, 164. leichte Afrika-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1942
Medaglia d'argento al Valore Militare

Sources

Photo