Date of birth:

October 27th, 1913 (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Date of death:

November 18th, 1990 (Seeshaupt, Germany)

Nationality:

German

01.10.1931: 14. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 15
01.04.1932: 2. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 15
01.04.1935: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier, 6. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 36
01.10.1936: 6. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 105
18.01.1938: promoted to Leutnant
01.04.1940: promoted to Oberleutnant
00.04.1941: Operations in the Balkans
00.07.1941: Operation Barbarossa
01.07.1941: Chef, 7. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 105
01.06.1942: promoted to Hauptmann
01.07.1942: Kdr, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 105
01.04.1943: promoted to Major
01.07.1943: Führer, Grenadier-Regiment 105
00.07.1943: fightings region Brjansk, Kiew and Tscherkassy - awarded the RK
00.01.1944: Grenadier-Regiment 105 within 72. Infanterie-Division encircled in the Korsun pocket
00.02.1944: Grenadier-Regiment 105 led the 72. Infanterie-Division's break-out of the Korsun pocket - awarded the RK mit EL
01.03.1944: promoted to Oberstleutnant
00.04.1944: Divisionsführer-Lehrgang
01.12.1944: promoted to Oberst
05.12.1944: Führer, 905. Infanterie-Division, Oberrhein
01.03.1945: Führer, 16. Volks-Grenadier-Division
02.05.1945: US POW
00.00.1946: escaped from captivity

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 15th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 19th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

in silver

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 2nd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Führer, Grenadier-Regiment 105, 72. Infanterie-Regiment, Heer

Awarded on:

December 11th, 1943

During the battle for Cherkassy in late November 1943 Major Kaestner was the soul of the resistance in the northern part of the city. Starting on the 15.11.1943 he and his weak forces fought in heavy defensive combat against overwhelming Soviet forces. On the 28.11.1943 the Soviets broke through the defensive ring on the city’s edge three times with tanks and infantry. Having no contact with the Division, and deployed all alone, Kaestner repeatedly threw up new defensive fronts in the urban jungle of the city. He retook parts of the city that had been lost through bold counterattacks and continued to distinguish himself with his men until the city was evacuated on the 30.11.1943.

Major Kaestner would receive the Knight’s Cross for his actions here.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Führer, Grenadier-Regiment 105, 72. Infanterie-Regiment, Heer

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1944

On the 16.02.1944 Kaestner and his Regiment formed the attacking spearhead of the 72. Infanterie-Division during the breakout from the Cherkassy pocket. Two Soviet positions were broken through and two hostile batteries were eliminated in close combat. The next day the area southeast of Dshurshenzy was reached. Another Soviet position was penetrated west of the Dshurshenzy—Potschapinzy road and then finally, southeast of Chishinzy, contact was established with the 1. Panzer-Division.

Kaestner was decorated with the Oakleaves for his success in breaking out with his men.

401st Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher
• Photo 2:
• Photo 3:
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
  - Ritterkreuz Archiv II/2010, Veit Scherzer, Ranis, Juni 2010, ISSN 1866-4709