Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Pionier-Bataillon 45, Heer

Awarded on:

August 15th, 1940

The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Velke received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberstleutnant Velke crossed over the Maas river south of Givet in a very short time on the 13.05.1940 with elements of his Pionier-Bataillon, an Aufklärungs-Abteilung and 2 Infanterie-Bataillone. On the 14.05.1940 he was personally involved in the clearing of the eastern suburb of Givet with his Pionieren, which was accomplished after bitter urban combat. On the following night Oberstleutnant Velke once again personally directed elements of his Bataillon in ferrying friendly troops across a different point of the Maas river, all under heavy enemy fire. Urban combat also took place here, and he again directed the action himself. At the same time he oversaw the construction of a 16-ton bridge.

On the 23.05.1940 Oberstleutnant Velke crossed over the Scarpe Canal in the face of hostile flanking fire. Then, on the 05. & 06.06.1940, his Pionieren established bridges across the Somme river at Abbéville. This was also directed by Oberstleutnant Velke, and while under enemy artillery fire no less.”