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Frölich, Gottfried

Date of birth:
June 3rd, 1894 (Dresden/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
July 30th, 1959 (Heidenheim an der Brenz/ Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

In service from August 10th 1914.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Führer 8.Panzer-Division / 4.Panzerarmee / Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:
December 20th, 1943
Frölich’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the afternoon of the 07.11.1943 a far superior enemy force attacked the 8. Panzer-Division (at the time positioned for defense near Lipowka, on the right wing of the XIII. Armee-Korps) with the aim of breaking through to the west. The divisional commander, Oberst Frölich, immediately rushed forwards to his right-wing Regiment. Disregarding the strong enemy artillery/mortar fire, he brought the retreating soldiers to a halt, reorganized them and set them up for a renewed defense. His fearless personal attitude was responsible for reversing this dangerous crisis and the creation of a new defense line along the Makaroff—Korolewka road, which was then held against all enemy thrusts.

However over the course of the evening the enemy pressure against the Division’s open right flank became ever stronger. Oberst Frölich realized that if the enemy succeeded in tying down or pushing back the 8. Panzer-Division (and consequently open the path to the Kiev—Zhitomir road) it would create an extraordinary danger both for the Korps as well as the entire overall situation.

The situation continued to build up. Waiting for orders was impossible as the communication links to the Korps were destroyed, and its’ intent was unknown. Therefore Oberst Frölich resolved to block the way to the Kiev—Zhitomir road with his Division on his own initiative. As such he ordered his men to retreat from the enemy and establish a new defensive line Szitnjaki—Maliwaikowka. When he received an order from the Korps just after midnight to occupy the line Motyshin—Makaroff, Oberst Frölich stood by his original decision given his full knowledge of the situation. The commanding general would eventually agree with Frölich’s decision, and the later course of the battle would demonstrate the decisive importance of this move.

On that same night the enemy tried to break through at Mainjaki with tanks and infantry, however they were thrown back thanks to the timely defensive measures taken. The next day the enemy would continue to attempt thrusts around and north of Szitnjaki with tanks and far superior infantry and artillery forces. In these battles Oberst Frölich would again constantly remain near his foremost strongpoints.

The personal example of the divisional commander inspired his soldiers throughout the ceaseless heavy fighting, and as such they were able to ward off all enemy attacks for the entire day despite the massive enemy artillery support and their great numerical superiority. This prevented a surprise enemy thrust along the Kiev—Zhitomir road towards Zhitomir. This success was made possible by Oberst Frölich’s independent and game-changing decision.

The Division was named in the Wehrmachtbericht of the 10.11.1943 in light of its achievements.”

Submitted on December 15th 1943.
Preliminary document and decoration on December 24th 1943 to Pz.AOK 4.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 19th, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 11th, 1943
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 20th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Artillerie-Regiment 78, 7. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
January 2nd, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 18th, 1941
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
II./Artillerie-Regiment 76 / 1. Leichte Division
Awarded on:
November 10th, 1939

According to other sources awarded on 16-11-1939.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 27th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 15th, 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 14th, 1918
Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 19th, 1918
Verwundetenabzeichen (1918)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 16th, 1918
Militär-St. Heinrichs-Orden
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 30th, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 20th, 1916
Komturkreuz II. Klasse des Königliche Sächsische Verdienstorden
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 19th, 1916
Komturkreuz II. Klasse des Königlich Sächsischer Albrechtsordens
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 27th, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)

Sources

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