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Flinzer, Dr.Ing., Rudolf

Date of birth:
November 9th, 1889 (Stollberg-Chemnitz/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
June 17th, 1976 (Opladen/Northrhine-Westernphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 21st, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 18th September 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1942

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 15th August 1915.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant der Reserve (Lieutenant-colonel of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 317 / 211.Infanterie-Division / Korps Scheele / 2.Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
April 6th, 1943
During the fighting for the Orel salient in early 1943 Oberstleutnant Flinzer and his troops fought around Wydrowka, Pustynka, Buda-Monastyrskaja and Kommuna-Bolschewik. Here they distinguished themselves greatly in the defense. In particular, on the 22.02.1943, they withstood a major Soviet offensive in the so-called “Hell of Liwadija”. Flinzer would receive the Knight’s Cross for his outstanding leadership during this time.

1669th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst der Reserve
Unit:
Grenadier-Regiment 317
Awarded on:
January 27th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Award 519/2.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst der Reserve (Colonel of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 317 / 211.Infanterie-Division / VIll.Armee-Korps/ 2.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
September 5th, 1944
During the first defensive battle of Vitebsk (10.-16.11.1943) Oberst Flinzer and his men carried out 10 of their own attacks, repelled 62 major enemy attacks and destroyed 29 tanks. Oberst Flinzer would continue to distinguish himself in the Regiment’s battles in the Pripet marshes, the retreat to the Bug and during the fighting in Eastern Poland (which began on the 22.07.1944). During this latter stage of fighting a new defensive line near Sycyna and Styrzyniec (south of the Miedzyrzec-Biala Podlaska road) was held by the Regiment for three days against all hostile attacks, even though the enemy had managed to bypass it to the north and south. Flinzer would receive the Oakleaves for the sum of his achievements.

575th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

Photo