Date of birth:

February 8th, 1908 (Berlin-Neukölln/Brandenburg, Germany)

Date of death:

July 11th, 1977 (Meran/South-Tirol, Italy)

Nationality:

German

Promotions:
?: Leutnant der Reserve;
November 1st, 1937: Leutnant;
November 1st, 1937: Oberleutnant;
March 1st, 1938: Hauptmann;
January 1st, 1942: Major;
December 1st, 1943: Oberstleutnant;
June 1st, 1944: Oberst;
December 1st, 1944: Generalmajor.

Career:
November 1st, 1925: 9. (Preuß.) Infanterie-Regiment;
November 1st, 1937: Kompaniechef Infanterie-Regiment 109;
November 10th, 1938; Kompaniechef Infanterie-Regiment 105;
January 3rd, 1939: Chef 6. / Infanterie-Regiment 80;
May 1940: Chef 6. / Infanterie-Regiment 463;
May 1st, 1941: Kommandeur II. / Infanterie-Regiment 463;
July 1st, 1943: Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 185;
July 1944: Divisionsführer-Lehrgang;
September 1st, 1944: m.d.F.b. 349. Volksgrenadier-Division;
December 1st, 1944: Kommandeur 349. Volksgrenadier-Division;
April 1st, 1945: Kommandeur 21. Infanterie-Division;
April 16th, 1945 - July 15th, 1945: Illness;
July 15th, 1945 - July 1st, 1947: British POW.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 13th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 463, 263. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1941

On the 17-18.08.1941 the 263. Infanterie-Division was deployed to the Yelnya salient, where they faced desperate Soviet attempts to push back the Germans. In this context Hauptmann Koetz and his Bataillon distinguished themselves near Jakowlewo in the fighting around Hill 256.9, also known as the “Chimborasso”, in the time period 17-28.08.1941. The Bataillon put up a tremendous fight against the overwhelming Soviet attacks, and for this Koetz would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

555th Heer Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 185, 87. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

January 24th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Awarded on:

October 25th, 1944

Mentioning:
"In the battles on the East Prussian border, two "Kampfgruppen" under the leadership of the Oak Leaves bearers Oberst Koetz and Oberst Lauchert have particularly distinguished themselves."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1942

• Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
• Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
  
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
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  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
  - Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS, 1939-1945
  - Axis Biographical Research
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