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Giesen, Gerhard (Grenadier-Regiment 123)

Date of birth:
January 29th, 1890 (Zülshagen/Pommerania, Germany)
Date of death:
February 5th, 1945 (Gut Loschen / Lawrowo, Preußisch Eylau, Germany)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Königsberg / Kaliningrad
Grave: UNK.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
with swords
Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 23rd, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 4th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, Grenadier-Regiment 676, 57. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 123, 50. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
November 5th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst der Reserve (Colonel of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 123, 50. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
March 11th, 1945
On the 05.02.1945 the Soviets achieved a penetration in the area of the Grenadier-Regiment 123 near Gut Loschen (east of Preußisch-Eylau). In response Giese assembled the regimental reserve along with a few Sturmgeschütze and launched a counterthrust. This was successful, but done at the cost of Giese’s own life. In recognition of his bravery and self-sacrifice here he would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

Awarded posthumously.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo