Date of birth:

July 6th, 1906 (Nuremberg/Bavaria, Germany)

Date of death:

January 25th, 1998 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Karl Herzog was in a row the commander of 3.(motorisiert) / Pionier-Bataillon 27, 3.(Panzer) / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 27 (both between 1938 and 1942), Füsilier-Pionier-Bataillon 42 (1942), Pionier-Bataillon 48 (motorisiert) (from 1942 till 1944 with the rank of Major), Pionier-Bataillon 617 (1944), Sturm-Pionier-Regiment Herzog (1944), Sturm-Pionier-Brigade 627 (from 1944 till 1945 with the rank of Oberstleutnant). Hij was Soviet Prisoner-of-War from May 1945 till October 1955. From 16th August 1957 until 30th September 1966, Karl Herzog served with the Bundeswehr, where he finally reached the rank of Generalmajor.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kompaniechef 3. (motorisiert) / Pionier-Bataillon 27

Awarded on:

October 5th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kompaniechef 3. (motorisiert) / Pionier-Bataillon 27

Awarded on:

June 18th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

3. / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 27

Awarded on:

May 18th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 17th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon 48 (motorisiert)

Awarded on:

August 21st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 5th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 15th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 25th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Heeres Sturm-Pionier-Brigade 627 (motorisiert)

Awarded on:

April 17th, 1945

On the night of the 17./18.01.1945 Herzog and his Brigade were emplaced for defense in the area Mackheim-Kolno. The enemy crossed the Orzyc river and began advancing along both sides of the Baranowo-Praschnitz road (east of Dronschewo), threatening to break through the boundary between the 129. & 292. Infanterie-Divisionen (both of which were attached to the XX. Armee-Korps).

In response to this enemy thrust, Oberstleutnant assembled two squads from his Bataillon and mounted them aboard SPWs. He then sent them into a counterattack against the enemy flank. After committing about two additional companies Oberstleutnant Herzog continued his push up to the village of Raki (3 kilometres south of the Baranowo-Praschnitz road) and threw back the overwhelming enemy forces located here. 120 dead Soviets were counted on the battlefield subsequently.

Through this bold and energetic attack the old German line was restored and the enemy’s base of attack in Raki was broken through. 6 enemy anti-tank guns were also captured during the course of this operation.

Oberstleutnant Herzog distinguished himself by the bravery he showed during this attack, which in turn brought about a decisive defensive success for the Korps. He would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions here.

Simultaneously promoted to Oberst.

• Photo 1: Norbert Beyerlein
• - SCHERZER, VEIT, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Bissendorf, 2010.
  - Ehrenblattspange Zeitungsabschnitt.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
  - Karl Herzog