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Kempas, Traugott

Date of birth:
August 27th, 1919 (Trappöhnen/East Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:
March 13th, 1945 (Rosenwalde/Heiligenbeil/East Prussia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 8th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 29th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Adjudant Grenadier-Regiment 176 / 61. Infanterie-Division / III. SS-Panzer-Korps
Awarded on:
April 24th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 176 / 61. Infanterie-Division / III. SS-Panzer-Korps
Awarded on:
December 9th, 1944
Awarded for distinguishing himself during the defense and retreat battles at the Segewold position in September 1944, specifically around the village of Variku.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 25th, 1945
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 25th, 1945
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 176 / 61. Infanterie-Division / III. SS-Panzer-Korps
Awarded on:
February 28th, 1945
On the 19.01.1945 the 61. Infanterie-Division was forced to fall back to the Angerapp position. On the 22.01.1945 Kempas and his Bataillon found themselves cut off from their parent division, which had been pushed to the south. With his men Hauptmann Kempas fought through strong Soviet forces and reached friendly lines intact. For this act he would be decorated with the Oakleaves.

757th Award
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Bataillons-Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 176 / 61. Infanterie-Division / III. SS-Panzer-Korps
Awarded on:
March 8th, 1945
Nahkampfspange in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 1st, 1943
Nahkampfspange in Bronze

Sources

Photo