Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

June 17th, 1917

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

June 25th, 1917

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

May 2nd, 1918

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

May 18th, 1918

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1918

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 12th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1941

In the execution of operations on Crete, the commander of a Mountain Division, General Major Ringel, and as commanders of mountain regiments, the Colonels Utz, Jais and Krakau and the commander of a mountain artillery regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Wittmann, along with their subordinate troops had a decisive share.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85

Awarded on:

June 21st, 1941

On the 22.05.1941, during the Battle of Crete, the I./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 85 landed at Maleme airfield under heavy fire. By the evening it had reached the Hill 263 (5.5 km SSE of Maleme), and on the next day it captured the ridge east of Wryses. On this day the rest of the Regiment along with its commander, Oberst Krakau, also landed.

On the 24.05.1941 the I./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 85 secured the Episkopi-Alikianu area, and afterwards the whole Regiment assembled for further action. From here a 3-day march began through the mountains south towards Suda, which would ultimately result in the encirclement of Chania from the south. The II./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 85 would particularly distinguish itself during the fighting around Stylos.

For his Regiment’s role in helping to secure the final German victory at Crete around Chania and the battles preceding it, Oberst Krakau would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 24th, 1943

The 7th Mountain Division under the command of Lieutenant-General Krakau, effectively supported by units of the Air Force of Colonel-General Stumpff, has particularly excelled during the storming of a ridge and in the defense of the then incipient counter-attacks of superior enemy forces over weeks. The Soviets lost over 1,000 dead at this location alone. 50 heavily fortified enemy bunkers were taken.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)