Thulke, Willi
- Date of birth:
- September 22nd, 1916 (Gumbinnen/Easternprussia, Germany)
- Date of death:
- September 4th, 1998 (Lippstadt/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Willi Thulke finally reachted the rank of Oberstleutnant during the Second World War. After the war he served until 30th September 1972 with the Bundeswehr, there also finally reaching the rank of Oberstleutnant.
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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- July 22nd, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- December 17th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Chef 6. / Grenadier-Regiment 501 / 290.Infanterie-Division / II.Armeekorps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
- Awarded on:
- January 7th, 1943
1419th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 501 / 290.Infanterie-Division / X.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
- Awarded on:
- March 13th, 1944
In early March 1944, Thulke and his Bataillon were holding positions north of the Gora height when they were encircled by the Soviets. The divisional command ordered the Bataillon to break out, and over a two-hour slog it succeeded in reaching a new defensive position on a hill 3 km to the west. Thulke, who had been shot through the shin, nevertheless remained to command his troops (he was moved around on a sled). By this time Thulke and his Bataillon had fought off 33 attacks in this area over the course of a 13-day period. For his defensive accomplishments here Thulke was awarded the Oakleaves.
424th Award.
424th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
- Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
- Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
Photo
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