Huffmann, Heinz Paul

Date of birth:: December 29th, 1905 (Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Germany)
Date of death:: March 3rd, 1945 (Grunow/Lübben, Germany)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Halbe
Plot: 8. Row: 10. Grave: 2522.
Nationality:: German

Biography

Major Heinz Huffmann was an experienced artillery officer, he won EK2 and EK1 during the 1940 campaign in the West as the Kdr. of II./Art.Rgt.195. In January 1941, he was sent to the training course for Stug officers at IV./Art.Lehr.Rgt.2(mot.) and on 10 March 1941 named the commander of Stug.Abt.201. The battalion was formed in 1941 and was part of Army Group Center during Operation Barbarossa and took part in the battles for Brest-Litowsk, Mogilew and Wjazma, in spring 1942 it was sent to Army Group South (later B). In July 1942, Stug.Abt.190 is subordinated to Huffmann's (promoted in October 1941 to a Major) command and both battalions support Korpsgruppe Blümm during »Operation Eingemeindung« in the Woronesh bridgehead. Huffmann receives the German Cross in Gold (23 September 1942) for his performances in this period. Stug.Abt.201 remains in the exposed sector S of Woronesh and is attached to the Italian AOK8. Huffmann apparently leaves the battalion on 26 December 1942 (wounded maybe? – receives Wound badge in Black on 25 May 1943). For his actions and leadership during the winter 1942/43, he receives the Knight's Cross on 14 April 1943 (as Major and Kdr. Stug,Abt.201 / 298.Inf.Div. / Armee-Abteilung Kempf / Heeresgruppe Süd) and is then assigned to various training units and is KIA on 15 March 1945 as Oberstleutnant.

1926: Fahnenjunkers-Lehrgang
Artillerie-Regiment 6 then Beobachtungs-Abteilung 4
01.03.1937: promoted to Hauptmann
10.11.1939: Inspektion der Artillerie (In4) - Höheren Offizier der Artilleriebeobachtungstruppen
01.04.1941: promoted to Major
10.03.1941-25.12.1942: Major and Kdr - Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201
30.01.1945: promoted to Oberstleutnant
03.03.1945: KIA as Oberstleutnant - Stab Höherer Offz.d. Art. Beobachtungstruppen / OKH
other sources give 05.03.1945 (family grave in Buscheyfriedhof - Grünstraße 2 - Hagen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany) or 15.03.1945 for his DoD

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201, 45. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: August 27th, 1942

10.03.1941-25.12.1942: Major and Kdr - Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201
Awarded on:: April 14th, 1943

During the winter of 1942/43, following the Soviet commencement of Operation Little Saturn, the German 298. Infanterie-Division was caught in the maelstrom of the Soviet offensive. In response the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201 was attached to the division while it was in the Bogatschew area. The Abteilung would support the division magnificently during its defensive battles as well as its later breakthrough to friendly lines in the Tschertkowo area. For his distinguished leadership of the Abteilung during these difficult battles, the 298. Infanterie-Division would recommend Huffmann for the award of the Knight’s Cross.