Paul-Georg Kleffel (7 September 1920 – 19 February 2020 in Bonn) was a German mechanized infantry commander and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. After the war he joined the

Bundeswehr The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...

West Germany West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...

and achieved a general's rank.

Career

Oberleutnant Kleffel was a company commander in the reconnaissance battalion of the 3rd Panzer Division during early 1944. During the division’s defense of Orhei, on 13 April, the Soviets succeeded in reaching a defile in regimental strength just short of a patch of woods to the east of Orhei. From where his company was positioned Kleffel determined if the Russians made it to the woods they would be in a position to compromise the division’s entire defensive position. He launched a counterattack with his eight APCs, and despite fire from Russian AT guns he was able to reach the defile and opened fire, scattering the Russian infantry that were gathered there. He continued to pursue the Russian regiment across the bridge where it had come from, inflicting heavy losses, and pulled back across before the Russians were able to take countermeasures. For his successful spoiling attack Kleffel was awarded the Knight’s Cross.Veterans of the 3rd Panzer Division (2012). ''Armoured Bears: Volume Two''. Stackpole Books. p. 230.

Awards & decorations

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 es ...

** 2nd Class ** 1st Class * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 May 1944 as Chef 4./Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3 *

German Cross The War Order of the German Cross (german: Der Kriegsorden Deutsches Kreuz), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or ''Deutsches Kreuz'', was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repe ...

in Gold on 16 November 1943 as Oberleutnant 4./Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3 * Officer Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 1973 * Commander Cross of the

Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (german: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or , BVO) is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellect ...

1979

References

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Awards Page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kleffel, Paul-Georg 1920 births 2020 deaths Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Lieutenant generals of the German Army Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Recipients of the Gold German Cross People from Coesfeld (district) Military personnel from North Rhine-Westphalia Bundeswehr generals