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Koch, Willi (Grenadier-Regiment 32)

Date of birth:
January 28th, 1917 (Schlieben/Herzberg, Germany)
Date of death:
April 28th, 1945 (Bahnhof Ferch am Schwielowsee, Leunen, near Potsdam, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

01.10.1938: Schütze, Infanterie-Regiment 32, 24. Infanterie-Division
00.09.1939: Unteroffizier, Infanterie-Regiment 32, 24. Infanterie-Division - campaign in Poland
00.05.1940: campaign in the West
00.06.1941: campaign in Russia
00.04.1944: Feldwebel, Führer, 6. Kompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 32, 24. Infanterie-Division - fightings along the Luga, Pleskau Lake, North East of Peseri
00.07.1944: Oberfeldwebel, Führer, 6. Kompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 32, 24. Infanterie-Division - defended Modohn
00.04.1945: Ofwl, severely WIA and transferred to the Alarm-Bataillon 102
00.04.1945: Ofwl, Führer, 3. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 2, Grenadier-Division "Ulrich von Hutten" - Battle of Berlin
28.04.1945-29.04.1945: Ofwl, KIA at the Railway station Ferch-Leunen near Potsdam

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Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1943
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
Führer, 6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 32, 24. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
April 16th, 1944
On the 31.01.1944 the II./Grenadier-Regiment 32 opened up the road to Saoserje (southwest of Wyriza) and thereby allowed the northern group of the 24. Infanterie-Division to escape encirclement. Feldwebel Koch played a key part in allowing this success to take place. During the battle his Bataillon was threatened by a Soviet force on its right flank. Koch immediately recognized the danger, gathered up all soldiers immediately around him and was able to render this potential threat powerless. For this he was decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
Führer, 6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 32, 24. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
October 16th, 1944
Awarded for distinguishing himself during the retreat of the 24. Infanterie-Division through Latvia, especially during the fighting on the 18.09.1944 south of Madliena and on the 25.09.1944 near Ozolmuiza.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

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Photos