__NOTOC__ Richard Heidrich (27 July 1896 – 22 December 1947) was a German paratroop general 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 opposin ...

. He was a recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight' ...

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany (lit. "National Socialist State"), ' (lit. "Nazi State") for short; also ' (lit. "National Socialist Germany") (officially known as the German Reich from 1933 until 1943, and the Greater German Reich from 1943 to 1945) was ...

. Heidrich was taken prisoner on 3 May 1945 and released in July 1947. He died on 22 December 1947 in a care hospital in Hamburg-Bergedorf.

Awards

Clasp to the Iron Cross The Clasp to the Iron Cross (Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz) was a white metal medal clasp displayed on the uniforms of German Wehrmacht personnel who had been awarded the Iron Cross in World War I, and who again qualified for the decoration in World W ...

(1939) 2nd Class (25 May 1941) & 1st Class (25 May 1941)Thomas 1997, p. 259. *

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 31 March 1942 as ''

Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish ...

'' in Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 172. *

** Knight's Cross on 14 June 1941 as ''Oberst'' and commander of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3Scherzer 2007, p. 374. ** Oak Leaves on 5 February 1944 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 O ...

'' and commander of the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division ** Swords on 25 March 1944 as ''Generalleutnant'' and commander of the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division

References

Citations Bibliography * * * , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Heidrich, Richard 1896 births 1947 deaths People from the Kingdom of Saxony Luftwaffe World War II generals German Army personnel of World War I Reichswehr personnel Generals of Parachute Troops Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 1st class Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United Kingdom Military personnel from Saxony People from Görlitz (district) Battle of Crete