Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

August 4th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

November 22nd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 26, 30. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

January 11th, 1942

According to other source the awarding date is 16-1-1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 26, 30. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Ia, 15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.1), Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

May 9th, 1945

Wulff’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Sturmbannführer and Ia Wulff has significantly contributed to his Division’s ability to successfully delay the advance of 2 Russian corps during the time period 23.01.-02.02.1945 despite the unit’s lack of artillery and secured flanks. The divisional commander went missing on the 26.01.1945, a day that also saw a major crisis situation emerge when the enemy penetrated into the Division’s deep eastern flank near Immenheim. Wulff would be the hero of the hour in this debacle, taking over command of the Division until a new divisional commander arrived on the 27.01.1945. His ruthless actions during his tenure as commander resulted in the prevention of the enemy’s attempted breakthrough towards Vandsburg.

Later on the Division became encircled by the enemy and commenced a breakout towards the north in the direction of Landeck on the 03.02.1945. However after breaking through the enemy encirclement ring near Walachsee (southwest of Landeck), the Division once again encountered enemy forces before friendly lines had been reached. As the attack of the spearhead had stalled, Wulff took over the spearhead’s leadership on his own initiative and resumed the attack in such a way that the enemy position before Landeck was rolled up. This cleared the way to freedom for the Division and the 1000+ wounded that it had in tow. SS-Sturmbannführer Wulff died a hero’s death here while fighting in the foremost line.”

Based on a recommendation submitted by former Div. Kdr. Adolf Ax
The nomination by the troop is not documented. A file card indicates that it was received on 23-2-1945. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Kment, the adjutant of Heinrich Himmler and liaison officer to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office), noted that he did return the Himmler approved nomination on 29-4-1945 to the HPA/P5a (Army personnel office). Three copies for further processing were retained by the HPA but were left unfinished by the end of the war. Missing is the confirmation of the Commander-in-Chief of the 9. Armee and Army Group Vistula. The nomination did not receive a sequential number. The book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) does not list Erich Wulff. The nomination remained unfinished by the end of the war. The file card also contains a note "unfinished". A further file card can be found in the record for rejected or unfinished nominations. Mr Meentz of the German Federal Archives stated on 20-7-2004 that it cannot be verified that Wulff received the Knight's Cross.