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Götze, Karl

Date of birth:
February 20th, 1913 (Ludwigslust,Mecklenburg-Schwerin)
Date of death:
August 10th, 1987 (Hervel,North Rhine-Westphalia)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

01.10.1935: Leutnant, Batterie-Offz., I./ Flak-Rgt. 3 then I./ Flak-Rgt. 19
01.10.1937: Adjutant, I./ Flak-Rgt. 74 then III./ Flak-Rgt. 64
01.10.1938: promoted to Oberleutnant
01.07.1939: Oberleutnant, from III./ Flak-Rgt. 64 to I./ Flak-Abt. 37 - Batterie-Chef
19.07.1940: promoted to Hauptmann
21.07.1940: Ritterkreuz, Chef 1./ Flak-Rgt. 37 (mot) after the fightings in Arras
05.10.1940: Adjutant, Stab/ Flak-Brig. IV
01.08.1941: Ia op 2, Stab/ Luftgaukommando. XI
01.11.1942: Hauptmann, Ia/ Luftgaukdo. XI (or VIII?)
01.03.1943: Ia, Stab/ Luftgaukdo. XI, promoted to Major then appointed to Generalstab d.Lw. (without Luftkriegsakademie) then from Stab/ Luftgaukdo. XI to Stab/ 8. Flakdivision as Ia
01.02.1944-00.07.1944: Ia, 7. Flak-Div.
00.08.1944: Stab/ Komm.Gen.d.Lw. Dänemark
16.08.1944: Major i.G., Ia, 1. Flakdivision
00.01.1945: Stab II./ Flakkorps
00.03.1945: in RLM pool

00.04.1959-00.05.1960: Oberstleutnant; Kommandeur, LwFlaBtl 41 in Essen/Kupferdreh
00.00.1961: Oberst; Leiter des Stabes Luftwaffenflugabwehrverbindungskommando USA in Fort Bliss/Texas
00.00.1965: Kommandeur, FlaRakRgt 4
00.00.1966: HAWK MANAGEMENT OFFICE in Paris

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 1. Batterie, I. Abteilung, Flak-Regiment 37 "Afrika", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
July 21st, 1940
The following press article (dated 29.07.1940) describes why Götze was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“During the crossing of the Maas river in the Sedan area Oberleutnant Götze succeeded in destroying several enemy field batteries while ruthlessly applying himself to the battle. He thus has a major share in forcing a crossing over the Maas.

Subsequently, in the Cambrai—Arras area, the enemy tried to force a breakthrough to the south near Arras from almost all sides and employed strong armoured forces for this purpose. Thanks to the initiative and brave performance of Oberleutnant Götze 9 enemy medium and heavy tanks were destroyed. The strong enemy breakthrough attempt was brought to a halt in large part through this achievement. This successful feat of arms was of decisive battlefield importance, as it gave the German Panzer formations the opportunity to strike forth and encircle Arras itself.

Götze’s Batterie also shot down 2 enemy aircraft under difficult conditions along the Somme and Seine rivers. Throughout all this time Oberleutnant Götze was inseparably involved in the achievements of his Batterie, inspiring his men to carry out decisive feats by his own brave personal example.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

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Photos