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Wilhelm Ernst War Cross
The Wilhelm Ernst War Cross (german: Wilhelm-Ernst-Kriegskreuz) was a military decoration of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Established by William Ernest, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach on 10 June 1915, it was awarded to recognize military valor during World War I. Individuals awarded the Wilhelm Ernst War Cross had to be recipients of the Iron Cross, 1st class, and were members of ''5 Thüringischen Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 94'' also known as the Grand Duke of Saxony's Regiment. The cross was also to be awarded to citizens of the grand duchy serving in other units. Recipients * Hans von Boineburg-Lengsfeld * Otto-Wilhelm Förster * Alexander von Hartmann * Walter von Hippel * Otto von Knobelsdorff * Paul Laux * Günther Rüdel Günther Rüdel (15 November 1883 – 22 April 1950) was a German general in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Biography Günther Rüdel was born in Metz, in Alsace-Lorraine, on 15 November 1883. Rüdel served as a captain during W ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grand Duchy Of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (german: Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach) was a historical German state, created as a duchy in 1809 by the merger of the Ernestine duchies of Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach, which had been in personal union since 1741. It was raised to a grand duchy in 1815 by resolution of the Vienna Congress. In 1903, it officially changed its name to the Grand Duchy of Saxony (german: Großherzogtum Sachsen), but this name was rarely used. The Grand Duchy came to an end in the German Revolution of 1918–19 with the other monarchies of the German Empire. It was succeeded by the Free State of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, which was merged into the new Free State of Thuringia two years later. The full grand ducal style was Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Landgrave in Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen, Princely Count of Henneberg, Lord of Blankenhayn, Neustadt and Tautenburg. The Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach branch has been the most genealogically senior extant branch of the House of Wettin s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
William Ernest, Grand Duke Of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
William Ernest, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (Wilhelm Ernst Karl Alexander Friedrich Heinrich Bernhard Albert Georg Hermann, '' en, William Ernest Charles Alexander Frederick Henry Bernard Albert George Herman''; 10 June 1876 – 24 April 1923), was the last Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Biography He was born in Weimar, the eldest son of Karl August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, heir to the Grand Duke, and his wife Princess Pauline of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. He succeeded his grandfather Karl Alexander as Grand Duke on 5 January 1901, as his father had predeceased him. His heir was a distant cousin, Prince Hermann of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, until his disinheritance in 1909. Hermann's younger brother subsequently served as heir presumptive to the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach until the birth of William Ernest's eldest son. Wilhelm Ernst created the new Weimar town centre under the direction of Hans Olde, Henry van de Velde, and Adolf Brütt. He also had the University of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fighting occurring throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific, and parts of Asia. An estimated 9 million soldiers were killed in combat, plus another 23 million wounded, while 5 million civilians died as a result of military action, hunger, and disease. Millions more died in genocides within the Ottoman Empire and in the 1918 influenza pandemic, which was exacerbated by the movement of combatants during the war. Prior to 1914, the European great powers were divided between the Triple Entente (comprising France, Russia, and Britain) and the Triple Alliance (containing Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). Tensions in the Balkans came to a head on 28 June 1914, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross (german: link=no, Eisernes Kreuz, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). King Frederick William III of Prussia established it on 17 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars (EK 1813). The award was backdated to the birthday (10 March) of his late wife, Queen Louise. Louise was the first person to receive this decoration (posthumously). Recommissioned Iron Cross was also awarded during the Franco-Prussian War (EK 1870), World War I (EK 1914), and World War II (EK 1939). During the 1930s and World War II, the Nazi regime superimposed a swastika on the traditional medal. The Iron Cross was usually a military decoration only, though there were instances awarded to civilians for performing military functions, including Hanna Reitsch, who received the Iron Cross, 2nd class, and Iron Cross, 1st Class, and Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg, who received ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hans Von Boineburg-Lengsfeld
Hans von Boineburg-Lengsfeld (9 June 1889 – 20 November 1980) was a German general in the '' Wehrmacht'' of Nazi Germany who commanded the 4th and 23rd Panzer Divisions during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Biography Born in Thuringia, Boineburg-Lengsfeld joined the army of Imperial Germany as an ''Fahnen-junker'' (officer cadet) in 1910. He was commissioned in the light infantry and fought in World War I. In the interwar period, he served in the '' Reichsheer'' and then the '' Wehrmacht''. He led the 1st Rifle Regiment from 1938 to 1939 before being given command of the 4th '' Schützen'' (Rifle) Brigade of the 4th Panzer Division which fought in the Invasion of Poland. He temporarily commanded the division for a few days in May 1940, during the campaign in Holland, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 July 1940. Now an '' oberst'' (colonel), a more substantive period in command of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Otto-Wilhelm Förster
__NOTOC__ Otto-Wilhelm Förster (16 March 1885 – 24 June 1966) was a general in the German Army during World War II who commanded several corps. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Förster retired from active duty in January 1944. He was arrested by the Soviet authorities following the war. Convicted as a war criminal in Soviet Union, he was held until 1955. Awards and decorations * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 28 April 1943 as ''Generalleutnant is the Germanic variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO rank of ...'' and commander of 93. Infanterie-Division Fellgiebel 2000, p. 343. References Citations Bibliography * {{DEFAULTSORT:Forster, Otto-Wilhlem 1885 births 1966 deaths People from Ilmenau Major generals of the Reichswehr German Army p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alexander Von Hartmann
Alexander von Hartmann (11 December 1890 – 26 January 1943) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 71st Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Hartmann was killed on 26 January 1943 during the Battle of Stalingrad and was posthumously promoted to General of the Infantry. Before his death Hartmann stated, "I intend to go to my infantry in the front line...I will seek death among their ranks. Captivity for a general is dishonourable." He was killed instantly when he was shot in the head while standing upright on the railway embankment firing "shot after shot from his rifle." Awards and decorations * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 October 1942 as ''Generalleutnant is the Germanic variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Walter Von Hippel
__NOTOC__ Generalleutnant Walter von Hippel (Luftwaffe) (27 May 1897 – 29 November 1972) was a general in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany during World War II who commanded several flak divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Promotions: * Portepee-Fähnrich: 8 August 1914 * Degen-Fähnrich: 21 December 1914 (Patent 24 December 1914) * Leutnant (without Patent): 24 December 1914 (Patent established 27 January 1915) * Oberleutnant: 10 August 1925 (RDA 1 April 1925) * Rittmeister/Hauptmann: 1 April 1931 * Major: 1 January 1936 * Oberstleutnant: 1 January 1939 * Oberst: 19 July 1940 * Generalmajor: 1 April 1943 * Generalleutnant: 1 August 1944 Commands & Assignments: * 8 August 1914 – 23 December 1914: Portepee-Fähnrich in Infanterie-Regiment Großherzhog von Sachsen (5. Thüringisches) Nr.94. * 24 December 1914 – 11 March 1915: Platoon Leader, Infantry Regiment 94. * 11 March 1915 – 5 October 1915: Wounded/hospital. * 18 May 1915 – 11 Sept ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Otto Von Knobelsdorff
Otto von Knobelsdorff (31 March 1886 – 21 October 1966) was a German general during World War II who led the 19th Panzer Division and then held a series of higher commands. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Biography Born in Berlin in 1886 to a noble family, Knobelsdorff joined the army of Imperial Germany in 1905 as a ''Fahnen-junker'' (officer cadet) and served in the infantry. Twice awarded the Iron Cross during World War I, he later served in the '' Heer'' (Army) branch of the Wehrmacht. He was chief of staff of Corps Command XXXIII at the time of the outbreak of World War II. A ''generalmajor'', he was given command of the 19th Infantry Division on 1 February 1940 and led it through the Battle of France and during subsequent occupation duty. In October, the division was withdrawn to Germany for conversion to armour. It was re-designated the 19th Panzer Division and Knobelsdorff, promoted to ''Generalleutnant'' in late 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paul Laux
__NOTOC__ Paul Laux (11 November 1887 – 2 September 1944) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 16th Army. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Laux took command of the 10th Division in Passau. On 18 March some of these troops reached Vienna. In March 1939, when National Socialists and the 85th Infantry Regiment commemorated fallen heroes on the Passau Cathedral Square, Laux praised Adolf Hitler. Next, his men invaded Bohemia. On 13 April Laux commemorated the annexation of Austria in Passau. As commanding officer of the 126th Infantry Division, Laux took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. On 29 August 1944 Paul Laux crashed during a reconnaissance flight. He died of his injuries on 2 September 1944. Awards * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (January 1940) & 1st Class (July 1940)Thomas 1998, p. 16. * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Günther Rüdel
Günther Rüdel (15 November 1883 – 22 April 1950) was a German general in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Biography Günther Rüdel was born in Metz, in Alsace-Lorraine, on 15 November 1883. Rüdel served as a captain during World War I, working for the Ministry of War. Günther Rüdel made a brilliant military career in the Reichswehr, then in the Luftwaffe. He attained the grade of Generalleutnant in April 1936, and General der Flakartillerie in October 1937. Rüdel was assigned "''Inspekteur der Flakartillerie''" from 1938 to 1942. During the Second World War, Günther Rüdel attained the grade of Generaloberst in November 1942. Rüdel stood up to Adolf Hitler in the Beer Hall Putsch, the failed 1923 coup d'état against the Weimar Republic government, stopping him from shooting an official with his pistol. His grandson, John Crane, a civilian US military executive in charge of its whistleblower protection unit, himself became a whistleblower in 2013. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
