The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry.[1] A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945.[Note 1] This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.[3]

These recipients are listed in the 1986 edition of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945]. Fellgiebel was the former chairman and head of the order commission of the AKCR. In 1996, the second edition of this book was published with an addendum delisting 11 of these original recipients. Author Veit Scherzer has cast doubt on a further 193 of these listings. The majority of the disputed recipients had been nominated for the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany during the final days of World War II left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.[4]

Listed here are the 118 Knight's Cross recipients of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS whose last name starts with "A".[5] Fellgiebel himself delisted one and Scherzer has challenged the validity of three more of these listings.[6][7] The recipients are initially ordered alphabetically by last name. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded.

Background

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[8] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[9] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[10] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[11]

Recipients

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (A)
Service   Number of presentationsPosthumous presentations
Heer
79
5
Kriegsmarine
2
0
Luftwaffe
26
4
Waffen-SS
11
2

The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists for the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Waffen-SS. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.[12] Of the 118 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "A", nine were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and 11 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received 79 of the medals, two went to the Kriegsmarine, 26 to the Luftwaffe, and 11 to the Waffen-SS.[5]

  This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
  This along with the ! (exclamation mark) indicates that author Walther-Peer Fellgiebel has expressed doubt regarding the veracity or formal correctness of the listing.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity or formal correctness of the listing.

Name Service Rank Role and unit[Note 2] Date of award Notes Image
Adolf Abel HeerMajor[13]Commander of I./Grenadier-Regiment 364[13][14]23 September 1943[13]
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Josef Abel HeerOberfeldwebel[13]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 217[13][14]23 November 1941[13]
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—
Arnulf Abele HeerHauptmann[13]Commander of the I./Reichsgrenadier-Regiment "Hoch und Deutschmeister"[13][15]12 February 1944[13]
—
—
Erich Abraham+ HeerOberst[13]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 230[13][14] 13 November 1942[13] Awarded 516th Oak Leaves 26 June 1944[13]
—
Erich Abraham Heer Leutnant of the Reserves[13] Leader of the 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 13[13][14] 20 January 1944*[13] Killed in action 8 December 1943[13]
—
Herbert Abratis Luftwaffe Hauptmann[13] Leader of the II./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1[13][14] 24 October 1944[13]
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 A man wearing a peaked cap and military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar.
Albrecht Achilles Kriegsmarine Kapitänleutnant[13] Commander of U-161[13][14] 16 January 1943[13]
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—
Georg Ackermann Luftwaffe Leutnant[Note 3] Staffelkapitän and technical officer in the 5./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"[14][Note 3] 28 February 1945[13]
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—
Helmut Adam Heer Oberleutnant[13] Chief of the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 192[13][14] 21 November 1941[13]
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Paul Adam Heer Major of the Reserves[13] Leader of Grenadier-Regiment 158[13][14] 18 April 1943[13]
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—
Wilhelm Adam Heer Oberst[16] Adjutant of Armeeoberkommando 6 (Supreme Command of the 6th Army)[14][16] 17 December 1942[16]
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Felix Adamowitsch Heer Hauptmann[16] Chief of the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 904[14][16] 20 October 1944[16]
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—
Miervaldis Ādamsons Waffen-SS SS-Untersturmführer[16] Chief of the 6./Waffen Grenadier-Regiment 44 (lettische Nr. 6) der SS[14][16] 25 January 1945[16]
—
—
Horst Ademeit+ Luftwaffe Leutnant[16] Pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[14][16] 16 April 1943[16] Awarded 414th Oak Leaves 2 March 1944[16]
—
Paul Adolff Luftwaffe Hauptmann of the Reserves[16] Leader of Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 1[14][16] 26 March 1944*[16] Killed in action 17 July 1943[14]
—
Walter Adolph Luftwaffe Hauptmann[16] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[16][17] 13 November 1940[16]
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—
Friedrich Adrario Heer Hauptmann[16] Leader of the Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 272[16][17] 26 December 1944[16]
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—
Josef-Hubert Adrian Heer Oberfeldwebel[16] Leader of the 6./Grenadier-Regiment 24[16][17] 28 March 1945[16]
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—
Fritz Aechtner Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel[16] Pilot and observer in the 1./Nahaufklärungs-Gruppe 5[17][Note 4] 20 December 1944[16]
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—
Eckart Afheldt Heer Oberleutnant[16] Leader of the II./Jäger-Regiment 2 "Brandenburg"[16][17] 17 March 1945[16]
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—
Egon Aghta+ Heer Oberleutnant (W) of the Reserves[16][Note 5] Leader of a bomb disposal commando in the Luftgaukommando III Berlin[16][17] 3 February 1945[16] Awarded 778th Oak Leaves 12 March 1945[16]
—
Heinrich-Wilhelm Ahnert Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel[16] Pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 52 [19][Note 6] 23 August 1942*[16] Killed in action 23 August 1942[16]
—
Albert Ahrens Heer Oberfeldwebel[20] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 31[17][20] 25 July 1943[20]
—
—
Hinrich Ahrens Heer Unteroffizier[20] Gun commander in the 13./Grenadier-Regiment 1141[17][20] 9 January 1945[20]
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—
Wilhelm Ahrens Heer Hauptmann[20] Commander of the III.(Jäger)/Grenadier-Regiment 17[17][20] 4 May 1944[20]
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—
Reinhard Aigen Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel[20] Board mechanic in the 7./Kampfgeschwader 4[17][20] 9 June 1944*[20] Killed in action 19 September 1943[17][20]
—
Hermann Alber Waffen-SS SS-Sturmmann[20] Company messenger in the 9./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 20 "Hohenstaufen"[17][20] 16 December 1944*[20] Killed in action 2 August 1944[17][20]
—
Robert Alber Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[20] Leader of the I./Panzer-Regiment 201 [19][20] 7 September 1943[20]
—
—
Hans-Wilhelm Albers Heer Hauptmann[20] Commander of the I./Artillerie-Regiment 1 "Afrika"[17][20] 10 May 1943[20]
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—
Wilhelm Albert Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[20] Company chief in the Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 35[17][20] 14 February 1945[20]
—
—
Otto Alberts Heer Oberst of the Reserves[20] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 501[17][20] 10 December 1943[20] Died of wounds 10 December 1943[17]
—
Egon Albrecht[Note 7] Luftwaffe Oberleutnant Staffelführer of the 9./Zerstörergeschwader 76[17][Note 8] 22 May 1943[21]
—
 A man wearing a military uniform with various military decorations including an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar.
Fritz Albrecht Heer Oberst[20] Leader of a Kampfgruppe in the defensive sector of Magdeburg[17][20] 19 April 1945[20]
—
—
Kurt Albrecht Heer Oberst[20] Commander of Artillerie-Regiment 172[17][20] 3 November 1944[20]
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—
Kurt Albrecht Heer Oberst of the Reserves[20] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 948[17][20] 28 February 1945[20]
—
—
Oskar Albrecht Heer Unteroffizier[21] Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 14.(Jäger)/Infanterie-Regiment 15 [19][21] 24 July 1941[21]
—
—
Willy Albrecht?[Note 9] Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves [7] Commander of the I./Jäger-Regiment 734 [7][17] 9 May 1945[7]
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—
Rudolf Albust Heer Obergefreiter[21] Richtschütze (gunner) in the 2./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 129[21][22] 19 December 1943[21]
—
—
Ernst Alex Heer Oberwachtmeister[21] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 243[21][22] 1 August 1941[21]
—
—
Heinz Allersmeier Heer Major of the Reserves[21] Leader of the Feldersatz-Bataillon 181[22][Note 10] 9 December 1944[21]
—
—
Friedrich Allmacher Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[21] Commander of the III./Grenadier-Regiment 366[21][22] 7 March 1944[21]
—
—
Karl Allmendinger+ Heer Generalmajor[21] Commander of the 5. Infanterie-Division[21][23] 17 July 1941[21] Awarded 153rd Oak Leaves 13 December 1942[21]
—
Karl Alm Heer Hauptmann[21] Leader of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 353[21][22] 12 August 1944[21]
—
—
Friedrich Alpers Luftwaffe Major[Note 11] Commander of Fernaufklärungs-Gruppe 4[21][22] 14 October 1942[21]
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—
Eduard Altacher Heer Hauptmann[21] Leader of the II./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143[21][22] 18 November 1944[21]
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—
Karl-Heinz Altermann Heer Oberleutnant[21] Chief of the 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25[21][22] 4 October 1944[21]
—
—
Gustav Altmann Luftwaffe Oberleutnant[21] Leader of Sturmgruppe "Stahl" in the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm Abteilung "Koch"[21][22] 12 May 1940[21]
—
—
Rudolf Altstadt Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[24] Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 380[22][24] 14 May 1944[24]
—
—
Gustav Alvermann Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[24] Chief of the 10./Infanterie-Regiment 47[22][24] 26 May 1940[24]
—
—
Herbert Amann Heer Oberleutnant[24] Chief of the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 905[22][24] 10 February 1944*[24] Died of wounds 12 January 1944[22]
—
Paul Amann[Note 12] Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel[24] Observer in the 3./Kampfgeschwader 4 "General Wever"[23][Note 12] 12 March 1945[24]
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—
Dr. Lothar Ambrosius Heer Oberst[24] Leader of Divisions-Kampfgruppe 268 [23][24] 24 January 1944[24]
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—
Anton Ameiser Waffen-SS SS-Sturmbannführer of the Reserves[24] Leader of SS Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Regiment 52 "Ungarn"[22][24] 1 November 1944[24]
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—
Günter Amelung Heer Leutnant of the Reserves[24] Leader of the 5./Schnelle Abteilung 123[22][24] 15 January 1943[24]
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—
Heinz-Günter Amelung Luftwaffe Hauptmann[24] Staffelkapitän of the 5./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77[22][24] 15 July 1942[24]
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—
Siegfried Amerkamp Heer Obergefreiter[24] Machine gunner and deputy group leader in the Sturmkompanie/Grenadier-Regiment 459[22][24] 22 November 1943[Note 13]
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—
Fritz Amling Heer Wachtmeister[24] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 202[24][25] 11 December 1942[24]
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Franz Ammann Heer Leutnant of the Reserves[24] Leader of 5./Grenadier-Regiment 256[24][26] 23 August 1943[24]
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Hermann Ammer Heer Oberleutnant of the Reserves[24] Leader of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 62[24][26] 12 October 1943[24]
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Joachim von Amsberg?[Note 14] Heer Oberst Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 502[25] 9 May 1945
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Roberts Ancāns Waffen-SS Waffen-Untersturmführer[27] Leader of Waffen Feld Ersatz-Bataillon der SS Nr. 19[25][Note 15] 25 January 1945[27]
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Carl Anders Heer Oberst[27] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 484[25][27] 4 May 1944[27]
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Friedrich Anders Heer Oberfeldwebel[27] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2[25][27] 14 August 1943[27]
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Richard Anders Luftwaffe Oberleutnant[27] Pilot in the 11.(H)/Nahaufklärungs-Gruppe 12[25][Note 16] 27 July 1944[27]
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Kurt Andersen Luftwaffe Oberst[27] Commander of Flak-Regiment 153[25][27] 23 December 1942[Note 17]
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Friedrich Anding Heer Leutnant[27] Adjudant of Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland"[25][27] 8 May 1945[27]
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Anton Andorfer Luftwaffe Oberleutnant[27] Staffelführer of the 2./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77[25][Note 18] 26 March 1944[27]
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Wolf Andreae Heer Oberst[27] Commander of Werfer-Regiment 71[25][27] 24 June 1944[27]
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Harry Andree Heer Major[27] Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 504[25][27] 4 May 1944[27]
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Ernst Andres Luftwaffe Oberleutnant[27] Pilot in the Stabsstaffel/Kampfgeschwader 2[25][27] 20 April 1944[27]
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Hans Andres Heer Obergefreiter[27] 1st machine gunner in the 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 128[25][27] 4 May 1944*[27] Died of wounds 25 March 1944[27]
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Otto Angel Heer Unteroffizier of the Reserves[Note 19] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 6[25][27] 15 March 1945[27]
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Maximilian de Angelis+ Heer Generalleutnant[28] Commander of the 76. Infanterie-Division[25][28] 9 February 1942[28] Awarded 323rd Oak Leaves 12 November 1943[28]
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Heinz Angelmaier Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[28] Leader of the Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 279[25][28] 18 February 1945[28]
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Günther Angern Heer Oberst[28] Commander of the 11. Schützen-Brigade[25][28] 5 August 1940[28]
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Karl Angerstein Luftwaffe Oberst[28] Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg"[25][28] 2 November 1940[28]
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Günther Anhalt Waffen-SS SS-Standartenführer and Oberst of the Schupo[28] Commander of SS-Polizei-Regiment 2[25][28] 12 August 1944[28]
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Wilhelm Anhalt Kriegsmarine Kapitänleutnant[28] Chief of the 4. Räumbootflottille[25][28] 3 July 1944[28]
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Udo Anneken Heer Leutnant of the Reserves[28] Leader of the 1./Füsilier-Bataillon 83[25][28] 9 June 1944[28]
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Žanis Ansons Waffen-SS Waffen-Hauptscharführer[28] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Waffen Grenadier-Regiment 44 der SS [29][Note 20] 16 January 1945[28]
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Werner Anton Luftwaffe Generalmajor[28] Commander of the 6. Flak-Division (motorized)[28][29] 11 June 1944[Note 21]
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Wilhelm Antrup+ Luftwaffe Hauptmann[28] Staffelkapitän of the 5./Kampfgeschwader 55[28][29] 13 November 1942[28] Awarded 655th Oak Leaves 18 November 1944[28]
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Wilhelm von Apell Heer Generalmajor[28] Commander of the 9. Schützen-Brigade[28][29] 14 May 1941[28]
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Fedor Apelt Heer Oberst[30] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 102[29][30] 8 February 1944[30]
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Kārlis Aperāts Waffen-SS Waffen-Obersturmbannführer[30] Commander of Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment 32 (lettische Nr. 1) der SS[30][31] 21 September 1944[30]
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Willy Apitz Heer Obergefreiter[30] Radio/wireless operator in the 10./Artillerie-Regiment 81[29][30] 1 January 1944[30]
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Karl-Arthur Apitzsch Heer Oberleutnant[30] Vorgeschobener Beobachter (artillery observer) in the 4./Artillerie-Regiment 3 (motorized)[29][30] 4 November 1943*[30] Died in a Soviet POW camp in 1943[30]
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Kurt Arendt Heer Hauptmann[30] Commander of Panzer-Abteilung 5[29][30] 24 February 1945*[30] Killed in action 9 January 1945[29]
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Velten Arendt Heer Hauptmann[Note 22] Leader of the I./Panzer-Regiment 36[29][30] 28 March 1945[30]
—
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Peter Arent![Note 23] Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel Pioneer Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stabskompanie/Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 5[29] 4 December 1942* Killed in action 3 December 1942[29] A man wearing a military uniform.
Alexander von Arentschildt Heer Hauptmann[30] Chief of the 2./Panzer-Abteilung 67[29][30] 5 August 1940[30]
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Josef Armberger Waffen-SS SS-Obersturmführer[30] Chief of the 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[23][30] 31 October 1944*[30] Killed in action 20 August 1944[30]
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Fritz Arndt+ Heer Obergefreiter[30] Machine gunner in the Stabskompanie/Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 32[29][30] 31 March 1943[30] Awarded 678th Oak Leaves 9 December 1944[30]
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Johannes Arndt Heer Oberstleutnant[30] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 391[29][30] 23 February 1944[30]
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Karl Arndt+ Heer Oberst[30] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 511 [23][30] 23 January 1942[30] Awarded 719th Oak Leaves 1 February 1945[30]
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Hans-Jürgen von Arnim Heer Generalleutnant[30] Commander of the 17. Panzer-Division[29][30] 4 September 1941[30]
—
 A man wearing peaked cap and a military uniform.
Karl Arning Heer Oberst[32] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 24[29][32] 11 October 1943[32]
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Friedrich Arnold Heer Oberleutnant of the Reserves[32] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237[29][32] 16 November 1943[32]
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Helmut Arpke Luftwaffe Feldwebel[32] Member of Sturmgruppe "Stahl" in the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm Abteilung "Koch"[29][32] 13 May 1940[32]
—
 A man wearing a military uniform with an Iron Cross displayed at the front of his uniform collar.
Dietrich Ascher Heer Leutnant of the Reserves[32] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 259[29][32] 28 February 1945[32]
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Willi Ascherfeld Heer Hauptmann of the Reserves[32] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 926[29][32] 14 February 1945[32]
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Alois Assmann Heer Obergefreiter[32] Richtschütze (gunner) in the 1./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 61[32][33] 18 September 1942[32]
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Dr. med.dent. Walter Assmann Heer Generalmajor[32] Commander of the 101. Jäger-Division[32][33] 10 February 1945[32]
—
 A man wearing a military uniform.
Franz-Xaver Attenberger Heer Stabsgefreiter[32] Driver in the 3./Artillerie-Regiment 114[32][34] 21 January 1945[32]
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Georg Audenrieth Heer Stabsgefreiter[32] Group leader in the 3./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99[32][33] 10 February 1945[32]
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Paul Audorff Heer Oberstleutnant[32] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 754[32][33] 13 May 1943[32]
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Karl Auer Waffen-SS SS-Hauptsturmführer[32] Leader of the I./SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 8[32][33] 31 October 1944[32]
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Heinz Auert Heer Leutnant of the Reserves[32] Leader of the 2./Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 116[32][33] 28 February 1945[32]
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Hans-Heinz Augenstein Luftwaffe Oberleutnant[35] Staffelführer of the 7./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[33][35] 9 June 1944[35]
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Franz Augsberger Waffen-SS SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS[35] Commander of the 20. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (estnische Nr. 1)[33][35] 8 March 1945[35]
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Andreas von Aulock+ Heer Oberst[35] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 226[33][35] 6 November 1943[35] Awarded 551st Oak Leaves 16 August 1944[35]
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Hans Austen Heer Hauptmann[35] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 487[33][35] 5 December 1943[35]
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Johannes Austermann Heer Major[35] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 1146[33][35] 10 February 1945[35]
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Adolf Ax?[Note 24] Waffen-SS SS-Oberführer Leader of the 15. Waffen Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 1)[33] 9 May 1945
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Erich Axthammer Luftwaffe Feldwebel[35] Pilot in the Stab/Schlachtgeschwader 10[33][35] 28 April 1945[35]
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Walther von Axthelm Luftwaffe Generalmajor[35] Commanding general of the I. Flak-Korps[33][35] 4 September 1941[35]
—
 Man in uniform
Fritz Axtmann Heer Oberfeldwebel[35] Company troop leader in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 20 (motorized)[33][35] 25 August 1941[35]
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—

Notes

  1. ↑ Großadmiral and President of Germany Karl Dönitz, Hitler's successor as Head of State (Staatsoberhaupt) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had ordered the cessation of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945 (Dönitz-decree). Consequently the last Knight's Cross awarded to Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Georg-Wolfgang Feller on 17 June 1945 must therefore be considered a de facto but not de jure hand-out.[2]
  2. ↑ For an explanation of the various naming schemes used by the Luftwaffe, Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS refer to nomenclature used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
  3. 1 2 According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves and Staffelkapitän and technical officer of the Stab II./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor".[13]
  4. ↑ According to Scherzer as pilot and observer in the 1./Nahaufklärungs-Gruppe 3.[16]
  5. ↑ The suffix W in brackets after the rank denotes a Feuerwerker (pyrotechnician). [18]
  6. ↑ According to Scherzer in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 52.[16]
  7. ↑ According to Scherzer last name is Albrecht-Lemke.[21]
  8. ↑ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the 6./Zerstörergeschwader 1.[21]
  9. ↑ No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. Willy Albrecht's case was never processed by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). It is incomprehensible what evidence exists and who accepted him as a Knight's Cross recipient.[7]
  10. ↑ According to Scherzer as leader of the Feldersatz-Bataillon 81.[21]
  11. ↑ According to Scherzer as Major of the Reserves.[21]
  12. 1 2 According to Scherzer name is Paul Ammann who had received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as Oberfeldwebel and pilot and oberserver in the 3./Kampfgeschwader 4 "General Wever".[24]
  13. ↑ According to Scherzer on 24 November 1943.[24]
  14. ↑ The nomination by the troop was rejected on 9 May 1945 by the commanding officer of the Außenstelle of the Heerespersonalamt (HPA/A—Branch of the Army Staff Office)—Oberst Goecke—because the intermittent commanding officers of Joachim von Amsberg had not approved the nomination. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed the case in 1981 and decided: "Knight's Cross yes, 6 May 1945". The presentation date was later changed again by Fellgiebel to 9 May 1945. Von Amsberg was a member of the AKCR.[7]
  15. ↑ According to Scherzer as leader of the Divisionskampfschule (divisions combat school) of the 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division of the SS (lettische Nr. 2).[27]
  16. ↑ According to Scherzer as pilot in the Nahaufklärungs-Staffel 11.(H)/12.[27]
  17. ↑ According to Scherzer on 21 December 1942.[27]
  18. ↑ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the 8./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77.[27]
  19. ↑ According to Scherzer as Unteroffizier and not as Unteroffizier of the Reserves.[27]
  20. ↑ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Waffen Grenadier-Regiment 44 der SS (lettische Nr. 6).[28]
  21. ↑ According to Scherzer on 9 June 1944.[28]
  22. ↑ According to Scherzer as Hauptmann of the Reserves.[30]
  23. ↑ According to Fellgiebel Peter Arent is delisted without reason.[6]
  24. ↑ Adolf Ax's nomination shows no indication that the request had been processed or granted, not even an entry date is noted. The nomination list indicates that the request was filed on 28 April 1945. A Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) nomination with the number 5092 had been created. The nomination, according to the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses), was forwarded to the HPA on 25 April 1945. No proof exists that the Knight's Cross was awarded. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1981 and decided: "Knight's Cross yes, 9 May 1945". Ax was member of the AKCR.[7]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3–4.
  2. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 4.
  3. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
  4. ↑ Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
  5. 1 2 Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–118.
  6. 1 2 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 483.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scherzer 2007, p. 117.
  8. ↑ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939". ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  9. ↑ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940". ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  10. ↑ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941". ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  11. ↑ "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944". ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  12. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Scherzer 2007, p. 187.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 113.
  15. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113, 492.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Scherzer 2007, p. 188.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 114.
  18. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 29.
  19. 1 2 3 Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 114, 482.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Scherzer 2007, p. 189.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Scherzer 2007, p. 190.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 115.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 115, 483.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Scherzer 2007, p. 191.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 116.
  26. 1 2 Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 116, 483.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Scherzer 2007, p. 192.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Scherzer 2007, p. 193.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 117.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Scherzer 2007, p. 194.
  31. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 117, 483.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Scherzer 2007, p. 195.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 118.
  34. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 118, 483.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Scherzer 2007, p. 196.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 – The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6.
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