Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Holders: North Africa

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) Holders: Participants to Campaign in North Africa

by Founding Seven Member / Author "NACHT" with Founding Seven Member Research Fellow / Archivist  "Fezzo"

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) Holders: Participants to Campaign in North Africa
#	Last Name	First Name	Country	Service Branch	DAK Units /Last Service Position /Unit Attachment	Awarded /Highest Rank	Date of Award	Action	Portrait
1	Albers	Hans-Wilhelm	Germany	Heeres: Artillerie	1./Art. Regt. "AFRIKA" 577./sc. Art. Regiment	Oberstleutnant /Major	May 10, 1943	Took command of 1./Art. Regt. "AFRIKA" at formation with Allied landings in Morocco, KIA: 4 June, 1944 in Italy as Kom. (Major) 577./sc. Art.
2	von Arnim	Hans J�rgen	Germany	Heeres	December 3, 1942 CinC 5./Panzer Armee "AFRIKA" then C in C Army Group "AFRIKA":	Generalleutnant /Genraloberst	September 4, 1941	Commander of 17./PD, General der Panzertruppe, took over from Rommel, March 12, 1943 to May 12, 1943 (POW for four years)
3	Audorff	Paul	Germany	Heeres	Kom. 754./Gren.Rgt.	Oberstleutnant	May 13, 1943	Defended Goubellat & Bou Arada of vital  Tunisian center front to Medjez el Bab. Audorff unit with 5./Falsch. Rgt. thwarted British until April 21-May 5, 1943 advance into Tunis. May 8, 1943 taken POW.
4	Baade	Ernst-G�nther	Germany	Heeres	115./Sch�tzen Rgt. 90./Pz.Gren.Div.	Oberst / Generalleutnant	KC, June 27, 1942  115./Sch�tzen Rgt. as Oberst Oakleaves (#402) February 22, 1944 Kom. 90./Pz.Gren.Div. Oberst Swords (#111) November 16, 1944 90./Pz.Gren.Div. Generalleutnant	April 1942, Kom. 115./Sch�tzen Rgt. & actions at Tobruk & Bir Hacheim. September 30, 1942 attached to German General in high command of Italian armed forces. December 20, 1943 Kom. 90./Pz.Gren.Div. won Oak Leaves at Monte Cassino & Swords for service in Italy. KIA by strafing attack as commander LXXVI Armee Korps,  March 1945
5	Bach	Georg Wilhelm	Germany	Heeres	I Batt. /104.Sch�tzen Rgt.	Oberstleutnant	July 9, 1941	"Pastor in Purgatory" - Halfaya Pass, Blocked 4 RTR / other units advance in Operation Battleaxe three times. November, 1941 abandoned and out of ammunition they surrendered. Died in accident as POW in Canada on December 22, 1941
6	B�r	Heinrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	I./JG 51 Kom. JV 44	Leutnant /Oberstleutnant	KC, July 2, 1941 Oakleaves (#31) August 14, 1941 Swords (#7) February 16, 1942	KC as pilot in I./JG51. 60 Kills got him Oak Leaves and 90 Kills the Swords. 95 in Russia and 45 in the skies over Africa. He was repeatedly denied the Diamonds! He was too open mouthed with G�ring or would have received Diamonds with Swords as he was recommended for them on several occasions. Recorded 220 aerial victories and became a master of the Me-262 (16 victories).
7	von Barby	Hans-Lewin	Germany	Heeres	Kom. 361./AFRIKA Rgt.	Oberstleutnant /Oberst	KC, December 13, 1941	Took as Kom. III Batt./255./Inf.Rgt. to Africa. Promoted to take Kom. of 361./Afrika Rgt. renamed 361./le. Inf. Rgt. to even later become 361./Sch�tzen Rgt. von Barby was instrumental in successes at Sidi Rezegh by blocking links between advancing British forces  to Tobruk defenders. May 26, 1942 he was badly wounded east of Derna and died at Derna Hospital on the next day.
8	von Bargen	Hans	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	ADJ/Technical Officer (TO) I./StG 3 Kom. I./StG 3 in Finland	Oberleutnant /Hauptmann	KC, September 19, 1942 as ADJ / Technical Officer (TO) I,/StG 3	Known as 'H�nschen', he became as a dive bomber specialist against shipping. Was awarded his KC in ground support for actions over Sollum, Marsa Matruk, Bir Hacheim, & Tobruk,  KIA: July 6, 1944 Aeyraeparae, Finland after more than 400 missions in Stukas!
9	Bayerlein	Fritz	Germany	Heeres: Stab	Chief of Staff AFRIKAKORPS Chief of Staff I. Italienischen Armee Kom. Panzer Lehr Div.	Stab General	KC, December 26, 1941 as Chief of Staff AFRIKAKORPS Oakleaves (#258) July 6, 1942 as Chief of Staff I. Italienischen Armee Swords (#81) July 20, 1944 as Kom. Panzer Lehr Div.	Bayerlein served as Ia of the XIX Panzer Korps and this derived the Panzergruppe 2. He took position as Ia of AFRIKAKORPS under Rommel. July 6, 1942 as Chief of Staff I. Italienischen Armee. March 3, 1943, as Chief of Staff Deutsches-Italienische Panzer Armee AFRIKA. Author: Krieg ohne Hass (War without Hate) a book to bring Rommel into the masses
10	Beckmann	Theodor	Germany	Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot	Kom. KG z.b.V.1	Oberst	KC, December 23, 1942
11	Behr	Winrich	Germany	Heeres: Panzer	III Kp./3. Aufkl�rungs Abteilung Army General Staff Panzer / Aufkl�rung	Oberleutnant /Major	KC, May 15, 1941	Kom. III Kp./3. Aufkl�rungs Abteilung/Batt. Behr or "Teddy" along with Everth saw successes from  taking El Agheila by driving along the dunes on March 24, 1941 to driving around Marsa el Brega to capture six guns and break up pockets of resistance to then in short time capture Fort Benina. Behr's motorcycle troops captured two tanks and led them on to Bardia. Both Wechmar & Oberst von Herff gave him distinguished recommendations for his KC. Behr left Africa due to illness in December of 1941.
12	Belser	Helmut	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	Staffelkapit�n ?3./JG 53 ?5./JG 53 8./JG 53	Hauptmann	KC, September 6, 1942 was awarded posthumously	Staffelkapit�n of 8./JG 53 and a part of III Gruppe's Top Scoring Aces. III Gruppe arrived in Africa on May 20, 1942 with the former Kom. of II./JG27 at its helm was Major Gerlitz. 7 Staffel led by Oberleutnant Pufahl (10 Kills) & 9 Staffel Kom. Oberleutnant G�tz (33 Kills) He had 36 victories when killed in a takeoff accident by ground looping into a sand depression at Castel Benito.
13	Bendert	Karl-Heinz	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	5./JG 27 Staffelkapit�n Lehr Jagdgeschwader 104	Oberleutnant /Staffelkapit�n	KC, for 42 Victories on December 30, 1942	Most of his victories were over the skies of Africa but Bendert had a talent to teach his combat flying skills. He did not like the job but did it well! His final war tally was 610 combat missions and 54 victories.
14	Berner	Emil	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Kanonier III Batterie/ 18./ FlaK Rgt. (mot.)	Unteroffizier	KC, November 3, 1942	Berner was shipped to Africa with I Batterie/18./mot. Flak Rgt. to Tripoli in June of 1941. He successfully knocked out 8 tanks in November at the battles of Sidi Rezegh to receive his IC2. Then further success in KO's of enemy tanks moving to Agedabia. Berner's 88  gun group were on the move to drive around Bir Hacheim on May 25-26, 1942 to assault Tobruk. Seven British tanks broke through the defensive line behind him and assaulted his position at close range but Berner turned their eighty-eight around and knocked them all out. His '88' was credited with 42 anti-tank victories. Kesselring placed the KC around his neck personally.
15	von Bismarck	Georg	Germany	Heeres	Kom. 21./Panzer Division	Generalleutnant	KC, September 29, 1940	Led 7./Sch�tzen Rgt./7./PD in Campaign in France. Assigned to Stab Panzer Armee Afrika January 5, 1942. Led successful but different style maneuver to win back Cyrenaica then led attack on Tobruk to be promoted to Generalleutnant. Bismarck was killed in an air attack during the second day of fighting at the lead of forward elements of the 21./PD near El Alamein. Nehring and Kleeman were both also wounded at the same time.
16	Blumme	Werner	Germany	Luftwaffe	1./Fernaufkl�rungs Gruppe 122	Leutnant	KC, July 1, 1942
17	Boeckmann	Dr. Rudolf	Germany	Heeres: Artillerie	Kom. schwere Art. Abteilung 408 (DAK) 187./Art. Regiment, Siimusti, Estonia	Oberst	KC, July 23, 1942	The Senior Kom. Artillerie in Africa, Generalmajor Krause and even Rommel depended on Dr. "B" the Kom. of a 10.5 cm gun unit. The Dr. was promoted to Major because of his expertise in pinpointing enemy positions and his advice on terrain deployment and proper  laying of firing positions. July 17, 1942 saw a surprise attack on DAK positions south of El Alamein but Dr. "B" stopped the assault by direct fire of his artillery to win his KC. He was wounded on September 14, 1942 by a shell fragment hit to the head and evacuated to Germany. Dr. "B" was KIA near Siimusti, Estonia on September 19, 1944.	Photo courtesy of Dr. Boeckmann's widow
18	B�sel	Otto	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	I Batt./ 41./FlaK Rgt. (mot.) I Batterie/Feld Flak Artillerie Schule Zentre 16	Haupt wachtmeister	KC, June 11, 1942	B�sel was one of the gunners under Hauptmann G�rke to conquer Bir Hacheim. Later  attached as a part of Oberst Wolz Kom. of 135./mot. FlaK ad hoc anti-tank shield devised by Nehring to outwit a British effort to block or stall the successful advances of the DAK on May 27, 1942. B�sel's gun was trained down to firing on vehicles to as little as the 150 meter range and he KO'd 20 tanks! The events were so remarkable that an inquiry was made before his award of the KC. He was evacuated to Germany to recovery from wounds received during the event and thus became a gunnery instructor!
19	Bollbrinker	Dipl. Ing. Dr. Ernst	Germany	Heeres: Panzer	Kom. I./Pz.Rgt. 5 /5./le. AFRIKA Chief of Staff /Staff of the Inspector of Armored troops OKH/OKA	Major /Generalmajor	KC, May 15, 1941	Bollbrinker was assigned to 5./le. Panzer Regiment AFRIKA which began disembarking at Tripoli on March 11, 1941. As the Kom. I./Pz.Rgt. 5 /5./le. AFRIKA he led into Marsa el Brega. Bollbrinker led the entire 5./le. AFRIKA Rgt. (to Div.) as replacement Kom. for a period in the spring. He was added to the Special Tropical Staff and to the end of the war was at Guderian's side from May10, 1943.
20	B�ttcher	Karl Heinrich	Germany	Heeres: Artillerie /Panzers	Kom., 21./PD Nov. 30,2941-Jan. 30,1942 Generale der Spezial N. 4	Generalmajor / Generalleutnant	KC, December 13, 1941	Kom. as of Feb. 1, 1941 into the reorganization in August of 1941 into the 21./PD. B�ttcher led the independent battle group of 21,/PD & attached units from November 24-28 to block superior numbered forces from breaking through to Tobruk. His commendation was for this blocking maneuver until the combined forces of the AFRIKAKORPS could arrive. He fell ill in December 1941 and was evacuated to Germany to serve in reserve & Stab of the OKH. He was also Kom. of 326.Inf & 347.Inf Divs. to be moved to Generale der Spezial Duties N. 4.
21	Borowietz	Willibald	Germany	Heeres	Kom. 15./PD in Tunis area	Oberstleutnant / Generalleutnant	KC, July 24, 1941, Kom. 10./Sch�tzen Rgt. Oakleaves (#235) May 10, 1943, Kom. 15./PD	Kom. 10./Sch�tzen Rgt. in Russia as lead or advance regiment. His Rgt. destroyed 92 tanks! Promoted to Kom. 15./PD on November 18, 1942, he led through defensive battles in Tunisia. Taken POW and sent to USA where he died in an accident.
22	Braun	Rudolf	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka & FW-190 Pilot	Staffelkapit�n 3./StG 3 Gruppen Kommandeur I./SG 3	Leutnant /Hauptmann	KC, June 14, 1941	Braun flew support mission over Crete and the Med until being assigned to role as Staffelkapit�n 3./StG 3 from November 11, 1941 to May 25, 1942. On this day, in the Tobruk area, he was shot down and his gunner was killed with a crash landing near Tmimi. After recovery, his 3./StG 3 flew anti-partisan missions in the Balkans and then he served as Gruppenkommandeur  of Stukagruppe 102 to be assigned as Gruppenkommandeur  of I./SG 3. Braun flew 503 combat missions during the war and most in the Stuka.
23	Brenner	Harro	Germany	Heeres: Rommel's Kampfstaffel	Fhr. e. I Inf. Kp.  Kampfstaffel "AFRIKA" Fhr. e. I Inf. Kp./Kampfstaffel DAK (Leader of the 1st Infantry Company  Combat Echelon AFRIKA) to Inf. Kp. de Kasta (Afrika)	Leutnant /Oberleutnant	KC, April 16, 1943	Brenner join Hauptmann Medicus' Kampfstaffel 'Rommel' later Kampfstaffel "AFRIKA". His infantry Kp. was always in the thick of battle and there to service Rommel. Brenner's Kp. with a platoon of anti-tank guns and a pioneer platoon held the Maknassy Pass in Tunisia. Two opposing regiments were held back for eight days allowing time for the forces in Tunisia to regroup.
24	Briel	Georg	Germany	Heeres: Kom. Luftwaffe FlaK Element	Kom. Heeres  606/(Luftwaffe) mot. FlaK Abteilung FLAK Bataillon 606	Hauptmann  /Oberstleutnant	KC, July 23, 1942	Brenner given charge on March 8, 1941 as Kom. Heeres  of the 606./(Luftwaffe) mot. FlaK Abteilung. Was nominated for KC initially in December of 1941 and later received award for holding strongpoint near Bir Hacheim with defeat of breakout by garrison. His unit was called "Rommel's Luftwaffe FlaK" and his Heeres leadership of the Luftwaffe unit  brought the battalion 62 aircraft shot down, 1300 prisoners, and some estimates of up 190 tanks KO'd! Briel fought into Tunisia as Kampfgruppe Briel and later in the war as Kom. 200./Panzer-Grenadier Rgt.
25	Bruer	Alfred	Germany	Heeres: Artillerie	Kom. 612./sc. Artillerie Rgt. Panzer Artillerie Rgt. 155	Oberstleutnant /Oberst	KC, July 30, 1942	June 1941 named as Kom. 612./sc. Artillerie Rgt./5./le. PD to become in August 1941 21./PD. In July 1942, Bruer took command of 21./PD after injury to von Bismarck and thwarted a massed armor attack by skillful deployment of his artillery with flanking fire. He continued to lead his artillery unit into Tunisia and was taken POW on May 12, 1943.
26	B�hligen	Kurt	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	II./JG 2 Geschwader Kommodore JG2 "Richthofen"	Oberfeldwebel /Hauptmann /Major /Oberstleutnant	KC, September 4, 1941, 21 Victories Oberfeldwebel Oakleaves (#413) March 2, 1944, 96 Kills Major Swords (#88) Major and Kommodore of JG 2	B�hligen's greatest successes came in the air over Tunisia. In the period from December 1942-March 1943 he shot down 40 aircraft! his total aerial victory count amassed to 112; with 24 four engined bombers and more than 700 combat missions being flown. He was captured by the Russians at the end of the war and kept a POW until 1950.
27	B�rker	Ulrich	Germany	Heeres: Panzer Stab	General Stab Major Ia 10./PD Oberstleutnant General Stab Oberst Ia 10./PD	Ia 10./PD Oberstleutnant	KC, January 19, 1943	Under General Fisher, the Kom. of 10.PD, B�rker had his Kampfgruppe B�rker and stormed "Christmas Mountain" (Longstop Hill) to take it from the British and then lose it to a counter attack. He reorganized and then retook the hill and held it until the end of hostilities in Tunisia. He was one of the last to leave Tunisia. He later became the Chief of Staff for General Lanz and the XXII Gebirgsj�ger Inf. Korps
28	Buschhausen	Friedrich-Wilhelm	Germany	Heeres	Kom. I Batallion/ 69.Pz.Grenadier Rgt./164./le. "AFRIKA" Div.	Major	KC, May 9, 1943	Sent to Africa as Kom. I Batallion/69.Pz.Grenadier Rgt./164./le. "AFRIKA" Div. during November of 1942. He took command of southern group in battle for Djebel el Ahmeira on December 22, 1942. He retook Hill 290 from superior American forces and they had to be relieved by British because of depletion from Buschausen's unit's efforts. On Christmas Eve frontal position of his charge were overrun but his troops regrouped and regained the positions to win him his KC. He was taken POW by the Americans at the end of actions in Tunisia.
29	Cavallero	Ugo	Italy	Italian Army Staff	Chief of Staff generale di Armata	Chief of Staff generale di Armata	KC, February 14, 1942	Lead Italian forces
30	Christl	Georg	Germany	Heeres: Zerst�rer Pilot	GK III./ZG 26 Kom. Versuchsgruppe JG10	Hauptmann /Oberstleutnant	KC, March 18, 1942	As 7./ZG 26 Staffelkapit�n he became an ace of the Zerst�rer units. He was transferred from Palermo, Italy to Africa as Gruppenkommandeur of III./ZG 26. He met with success through to the move of segments of the unit to Kastelli, Crete. In July 1943 was moved to a position in the Defense of the Reich... he was attached to JG10 to do testing for heavy weapons to combat the four engined bomber
31	Cramer	Hans	Germany	Heeres: Panzer	Kom. PR8/ 15./Panzer Division	Oberstleutnant /General der Panzertruppe	KC, June 27, 1941	Cramer took Sidi Aziez by surprise on May 16, 1941 and later Fort Capuzzo and was decisive in the capture of the Halfaya Pass. Due to being wounded he was placed in position of Chief of Staff of the General of Mobile Forces then made on October 1, 1942 the General of Mobile Forces and promoted to Generalmajor. Cramer defined and managed the 'Cramer Korps Hauptquartier' on the Don for a very brief time. He was named commanding general of German Africa Korps on March 1, 1943 (an untidy name for our study) and then on May 1 made General der Panzertruppe. Kramer was taken as POW on May 16, 1943 by British forces.
32	Craseman	Eduard	Germany	Heeres: FlaK	Kom. Heeres of 33./FlaK Abteilung (mot.)	Oberstleutnant / Generalleutnant	KC, December 26, 1941 Oakleaves (#683) December 18, 1944 Kom. 26./PD	Crasemann too 33./Armored Artillerie Rgt. to  Africa on May 10, 1941 incorporated into 15./PD. July-August 1942 he commanded 15./PD until wounds forced his evacuation.
33	Crinius	Wilhelm	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	3./JG 53	Feldwebel	KC, September 23, 1942 Oakleaves (#127) September 23, 1942	Both KC's awarded simultaneously as when transferred from Russia he already had 100+ kills, at 114 Victories he was shot down January 13, 1943. POW in England.
34	Cr�well	Ludwig	Germany	Heeres: Stab	Kom. General AFRIKAKORPS	General der Panzertruppe	KC, May 14, 1941 Kom. 10./PD Oakleaves (#34) September 11, 1941 Kom. Gen. Maj.11./PD	September 1941,  Cr�well was sent to North Africa to command the AFRIKAKORPS segment of the Panzer Armee AFRIKA. Cr�well initially led the defeat against the 'Commonwealth' forces at Sidi Rezegh and later the diversional maneuver with the Navarrini Corps in the 'desert crawl' of Rommel begun on May 26, 1942. Cr�well was shot down on a recce. flight and captured by the British as a POW.
35	Dilley	Bruno	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	Gruppenkommandeur of "Immelmann" I.StG2 Kom. Close support School (Metz)	Hauptmann	KC, June 4, 1942, as GK of I./StG 2 Oakleaves (#174), January 8, 1943 as GK of I./StG 2	Dilley was pilot in the very first Stuka mission of the war as a Staffelkapit�n of 3./StG 1 in an attack 15 minutes before the start of the Campaign in Poland via an attack on the Vistula Bridge at Dirschau. He led attacks against Malta and British Med. Fleet shipping beginning in January of 1941. For two months his Stuka Gruppen supported Rommel and then was moved to be engaged in the Balkan Campaign to then in late spring return to again fly support for Rommel's summer offensives.
36	Dommes	Wilhelm	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-431	Kapit�nleutnant zur See	KC, December 2, 1942
37	Drewes	Heinrich	Germany	Heeres	Major d.R. Kdr Kradsch�tzen Btl 10	Major d.R.	KC, April 24, 1943
38	Ehle	Curt	Germany	Heeres: 15./PD	I.Kp./15./Kradsh�tzen Bataillon of 15./Panzer Division to Kom.15./Kradsh�tzen Bataillon and it was renamed 104./Pz.Gren.Brg. Took Kom. 102./Pz.Brigade in September 1944	Leutnant /Hauptmann /Major d.R. /Oberstleutnant	KC, July 27, 1941, I.Kp./15./Kradsh�tzen Bataillon EL: November 29, 1944 Oakleaves (#673) November 27, 1944, Kom. as Major 102./Pz.Brigade	Ehle led the I.Kompanie /15./Kradsh�tzen Bataillon from its arrival in NA in early April of 1941. Ehle was part of the Kampfgruppe Knabe that stormed across the Via Balbia that took Fort Capuzzo on April 13, 1941. His motorcycle troops fought on into Sollum and the Halfaya Pass. Promoted to Hauptmann he took command of the 15./Kradsh�tzen Bataillon of 15./Panzer Division. This group was attached to Kampfgruppe Geissler on January 21, 1942 and the unit renamed to the 104  Panzer Grenadier Regiment. This unit fought in in horizon crawl around Bir Hacheim & the battle at Got el Ualeb where he was badly wounded in an air strafing attack. He was evacuated to Germany and then upon returning to Africa was again wounded. Later as Kom. 102./Pz.Gren.Brg. at war conclusion he was taken POW by Russians.
39	Eppen	Heinrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	Gruppenkommandeur I./StG 3	/Oberleutnant	KC, KIA June 4, 1942  Kom. I./StG. 3 Posthumously awarded July 5, 1941	Eppen initially distinguished himself in the Balkan Campaign. He sank a destroyer off the coast of Crete & credited with sinking 50,000 tons of shipping! In September 1941 his unit went to Africa. He succeeded GK Oberstleutnant Sigel as GK of I./StG 3. The unit led close air support action for Panzer Armee AFRIKA in the spring & summer campaigning. The Stukas were used to soften the defenses at Tobruk. Listed as MIA but KIA at Tobruk June 4, 1942
40	Frhr von Esebeck	Hans Karl	Germany	Heeres: Stab	Commander of 15./PD April 13, 1941 - May 26, 1941	Generalmajor	KC, July 4, 1940	Preceded by General-Lieutenant Heinrich von Prittwitz und Gaffron Commander of 15. Panzer-Division April 13, 1941 - May 26, 1941 Succeeded by Generalleutnant Walter Neumann-Silkow
41	Everth	Wolfgang-Deiter	Germany	Heeres: Aufk.	Kp. Kom to Kom. Panzer Aufkl�rungs Abteilung 3/ 5./le. Panzer Rgt. (Div) AFRIKA until it renamed as 21./PD	Hauptmann	KC, July 6, 1942	Kp. Kom under Wechmar and intimately recommended to take his place. This unit distinguished itself with the nickname of "Hussars of the Battlefield". Easily noticed in photographs by his hair sticking straight up and a smile on his face!
42	Ewert	Herbert	Germany	Heeres	Kom. 104./Pz.Gren.Rgt.	Oberstleutnant /Oberst	KC, August 18, 1942 Alt. Date August 22, 1942	Ewert was sent to take Kom. of 104./Pz.Gren.Rgt. and on June 20, 1942 stormed the fortifications at Tobruk. His group took the British strongpoint at Deir el Shein to win his KC. He left Africa in October 1942 with dysentery and returned in February 1943 as Kom. of a segment of the HG. He was captured by French forces on May 12, 1943 as a POW.
43	Fath	Fridolin	Germany	Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot	Kom. IV/KG z.b.V.1	Major	KC, December 23, 1942
44	Fenski	G�nther	Germany	Heeres: Panzers	Initially in PR 5 /21./PD with Kramer to Kom. I Batt./ PR 8 with reorganization of panzers attached to Gen.Maj. Neumann Silkow's 15./PD	Major	KC, Posthumously December 31, 1941	Fenski with Kom. I Kp. Kom. Hans Kummel PR5 under Oberst Cramer were the first panzers to engage the enemy with tanks in NA. Major Fenski took over Kom. from Major Crohn to take the Trigh Capuzzo and on to Sidi Rezegh. He led in the first tank in the column attached to PR8's defensive security line and they surrounded and took a Brig. Gen. 17 officers, 150 men and 35 tanks prisoner. He was KIA in action the next day November 23, 1941.
45	Franken	Wilhelm	Germany	Kriegsmarine; U-Boot	U-565	Kapit�nleutnant zur See	KC, April 30, 1943	Sunk HMS Partridge
46	Frenzel	G�nther	Germany	Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot	11./KG z.b.V.1	Feldwebel	KC, December 23, 1942
47	Fischer	Erwin	Germany	Luftwaffe: Recce. Pilot	Kom. 1.(F)/Aufkl�rungs Gruppe 121	Oberleutnant	KC, April 21, 1941 Oakleaves February 8, 1943
48	Fischer	Wolfgang	Germany
49	Franz	Gothard	Germany
50	Franzisket	Ludwig	Germany
51	Freytag	Siegfried	Germany
52	Fr�lich	Stefan	Germany
53	Fromm	Walter	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK Kom.	Batterie Kom. I./Flak-Rgt. 33		KC, July 9, 1941
54	Fullreide	Fritz	Germany
55	F�rguth	Helmut	Germany	Heeres: Artillerie	Kom. 221. Art. Reg., Abt. IIa	Oberst	KC, July 28(29), 1942	Oberst Helmut F�rguth was born on October 21, 1894 in  Ehrenbreitstein, Krs. Koblenz. He was awarded the RC on July 28/29.1942. He was the commander of the 221. Art. Reg., Abt. IIa (only the staff was in NA). His artillery support was instrumental in advancing the DAK in Spring of 42. F�rguth is listed MIA since May 08,1943 in Kurland (Latvia).
56	Galland	Adolf	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot/GK/Stab	Geschwader Kom. JG 26 General der Jagdflieger	Hauptmann /General der Jagdflieger	KC, July 29, 1940, 1940 Oakleaves, September 24, 1940 Schwerter (Swords), June 21, 1941 Brillants (Diamonds) January 28, 1942
57	Gause	Alfred	Germany
58	Geismann	Johannes	Germany	Luftwaffe: He-111 Pilot	Kom. 1./KG 77	Leutnant	KC, December 21, 1942
59	Geissler	Erich	Germany
60	Gellert	Christian	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Batterief�hrer I./FlaK Rgt 43 (mot.)		KC, June 11, 1944	Gellert was awarded the RK 11th June 1944 for his actions on the 27th May 1942. See notation on B�sel above...
61	Gierga	Kurt	Germany	Heeres	Panzer Regiment 5		KC, June26,1941
62	di Giorgio	Fedele	Italy	Commander	Commander of Savona Infantry Division	Generale	KC, January 9, 1942
63	G�bel	Siegfried	Germany
64	G�tz	Franz	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	9./JG 53	Oberleutnant	KC, September 4, 1942
65	Gruber	Helmut	Germany	Heeres	Adjutant II./Pz.Gren.Rgt 125	Oberleutnant d.R.	KC, January 15, 1943
66	Gr�n	Werner	Germany	Heeres	PR 5, 21./PD	Hauptmann	PR 5, 21./PD	KC, February 8, 1943
67	Guggenberger	Friedrich	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-81 Kom.	Oberleutnant (Kapit�nleutnant) zur See	KC, December 10. 1941 Oakleaves, January 8, 1943	Sank British aircraft carrier Ark Royal on November 13, 1941 and did six further patrols (9 total) in the Mediterranean. Manned his U-Boot in Med for 252 days.
68	G�rke	Ernst Friedrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: Flak	I./FlaK-Rgt. 43 "AFRIKA"	Major	KC, November 3, 1942
69	Hachfeld	Wilhelm	Germany	Luftwaffe: Zerst�rer Pilot	Kom. III./ZG 2	Hauptmann	KC, October 29, 1942
70	Hafner	Anton	Germany
71	Halm	G�nther	Germany	Heeres: Anti-Tank Gunner	Stab Kp. Pz.GrenRgt.104/ 21.PD	Grenadier to Gefreiter /Leutnant	KC, July 24, 1942 Alt. Date for Rommel presentation August 27, 1942	Anti-Tank gunlayer under Oberst Ewert with 76.2mm (r) ... youngest recipient of KC in NA. His gun commander Leutnant Skubowius... Halm KO'd nine British tanks July 22, 1942 to block advance.
72	Hamester	Bernhard	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	Kom. 8./StG 3	Hauptmann	KC, September 3, 1942
73	Haussels	Arthur	Germany	Heeres	Kom. II./Geb.Jg. Rgt. 139 in Norway Kom. Geb.Jg.Rgt.756	Oberstleutnant	KC as Major in Sept.4. 1940	He was wounded on the leg in middle of January 43 and died from gangrene a few days later.
74	Haut	Erich	Germany	Heeres	Kdr I./Pz.Gren.Rgt 86	Hauptmann d.R.	KC, May 10, 1943
75	Haugk	Helmut	Germany	Luftwaffe: Zerst�rer Pilot	Pilot III./ZG 26	Oberfeldwebel	KC, December 21, 1942
76	Hauptmann	Heinrich	Germany	Heeres	Kom. III. Battalion of 115./Pz. Gren. Rgt. /15./PD	Hauptmann	KC, October 23, 1942	His performance in the defensive battles at El Alamein during October 23rd till 28th 1942 earned him the Knight's Cross. The main thrust of the British 8th Army offensive came up against the 115th. The fighting was so fierce that the Regiment was nearly wiped out, the Rgt. Commander was missing and Hauptmann himself got wounded.
77	Hecht	Max Karl Friedrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Kom. FlaK-Rgt.135	Oberstleutnant	KC, March 7, 1942
78	Heidtmann	Hans	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-559	Kapit�nleutnant zur See	KC, April 12, 1943
79	Heintze	Erich	Germany
80	Helbig	Joachim	Germany		Hauptmann Kom. 4./LG 1 Kom. I./(K) LG I	Hauptmann	KC, November 24, 1940 Hauptmann Kom. 4./LG 1 Oakleaves (#64) January 16, 1942 Kom. I./(K) LG I Swords (#20) September 28, 1942 Kom. I./(K) LG I
81	Heller	Richard	Germany	Luftwaffe: Zerst�rer Pilot	III./ZG 26	Oberfeldwebel	KC, August 21, 1941
82	von Herff	Maximilian	Germany
83	Heymer	Otto	Germany
84	Freiherr von der Heydte	Friedrich August	Germany	Luftwaffe: Kom. FJR/D	Kom 1./3 FJR in Crete/Kampfgruppe von der Heydte in Fallschirmbrigade Ramcke/6th Fallschirmj�ger Regiment	Oberst /Major	KC, July 9, 1941 Oakleaves (#617) September 30, 1944	His battalion was the first to enter Canea, Crete for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Led Kampfgruppe von der Heydte in Fallschirmbrigade Ramcke.
85	Hissmann	Josef	Germany	Heeres	FLAK Btl. 617	Major	KC, May 17, 1943
86	Hoefeld	Robert	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fallsch.	F�hrer 4./FJR 5	Hauptmann	KC, May 18, 1943	He commanded a company of the Sturm Regiment at Crete, Later awarded the RK while serving with FJR5 in Tunisia in 1943
87	Hoffmann von Waldau	Otto	Germany
88	Hogeback	Hermann	Germany
89	von Homeyer	Friedrich	Germany		Kom. Aufkl�rungs Kp. 580/ 90./le. "AFRIKA" Div.	Rittmeister	KC, July 6, 1942	KIA
90	Homuth	Gerhard	Germany
91	von H�sslan	Roland	Germany
92	Huebner	Arnold	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Gun Layer 3./Flak-Rgt.33	Gefreiter	KC, March 7, 1942
93	Hudel	Helmut	Germany	Heeres	Hauptmann Chef 1./Pz.Rgt 7	Hauptmann	KC, May 27, 1942 Oakleaves (#219) April 2, 1943
94	Isachsen	Herbert	Germany
95	J�ger	Erich	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Platoon Kom. I./Flak-Rgt. 23 (mot.) "AFRIKA"		KC, July 5, 1941
96	J�hnert	Erhart	Germany
97	von Kageneck	Erbo Graf	Germany
98	Kelbling	Gerd	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-593	Kapit�nleutnant	KC, August 18, 1943
99	Kemnade	Friedrich	Germany	Kriegsmarine: Schnellboots	Kom. 3./Schnellbootsflotille	Kapit�nleutnant	KC, July 23, 1942 Oakleaves (#249) May 27, 1943
100	Kesselring	Albert	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stab			KC, September 30, 1939 Oakleaves (#78) February 25, 1942 Swords (#15) July 18, 1942 Diamonds/Brillant (#14) July 19, 1944
101	Kiefer	Eduard-Heinrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: Pz, Aufkl�rungs	Kp. Fhr. 4./Feld. Btl. �T 5� [Feld-Btl Tunis 5 / Pz.AOK 5] / AU	Hauptmann	KC, May 18, 1943	Kiefer became the actor Til Kiwe after the war
102	Kiehl	Rudolf	Germany	Heeres	PR 5, 21./PD	Hauptmann	KC, July 11, 1942 KIA
103	Kircheim	Heinrich	Germany
104	Kl�rmann	Hans	Germany
105	Kleemann	Ulrich	Germany
106	Knabe	Gustav Georg	Germany	Heeres	Schtz.Rgt. 104	Oberstleutnant	KC, June 1, 1941
107	Knust	Friedrich-Karl	Germany	Luftwaffe:	Kom. LG 1	Oberstleutnant	KC, May 3, 1942
108	Koch	Dietrich	Germany	Heeres: Panzer	Kom. 8./PR 8/ 15./PD PR5 21./PD	Leutnant Oberleutnant	KC, April 13, 1942
109	von Koehnen	Friedrich	Germany
110	K�nig	Herbert	Germany
111	K�rner	Friedrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot			KC, September 6, 1942
112	K�ster	Alfred	Germany
113	Kroseberg	Heinz	Germany
114	K�mmel	Johannes	Germany				Oakleaves (#133) October 11, 1942
115	Kuhlmey	Kurt	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	Kom. IV./StG 3	Hauptmann	KC, November 19, 1942
116	Lang	Rudolf	Germany	Heeres	Kom. Geb. Panzerj�ger Abteilung 44	Oberstleutnant	KC, July 15, 1941
117	von Liebenstein	Freiherr Kurt	Germany
118	Lienau	Detlef	Germany
119	Mahlke	Helmut	Germany
120	Marcks	Werner	Germany
121	Marseille	Hans-Joachim	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	Kom. 3./JG 27	Oberleutnant	KC, February 22, 1942 50 Kills Oakleaves (#97) June 6, 1942 Swords (#12) June 18, 1942 Diamonds (Brillants) (#4) September 3, 1942	KC, February 22, 1942 50 Kills
122	von Maltzahn	G�nther	Germany	Luftwaffe:	Kom. JG 53	Major	KC, December 30, 1940 Oakleaves. July 24, 1941	KC, with only 12 kills but for his extraordinary leadership skills Oakleaves at 43 Kills...
123	Medicus	Franz	Germany
124	Melzer	Reinhard	Germany
125	Melzer	Walter	Germany	Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot	Squadron Leader KG z.b.V. 1	Oberleutnant	KC, December 23, 1942
126	Menny	Erwin	Germany
127	Meyer	Hans-Adolf	Germany
128	Meyer	Jochen	Germany	Heeres	Kdr II./Pz.Gren.Rgt "Afrika"	Rittmeister	KC, March 31, 1943
129	Mickl	Johann	Germany
130	Mildebrath	Werner	Germany	Heeres	PR 5, 21./PD	Oberstleutnant	KC, August 12, 1942
131	Mischke	Gerd	Germany
132	Mossdorf	Martin	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	3./StG 3	Oberleutnant	KC, September 3, 1942
133	Mrousek	Ewald	Germany		Zg.Fhr. 2./Feld. Btl. �T 1� [Feld-Btl. Tunis 1 / PzAOK 5] Feld-Bataillon 1 was part of the Infanterie-Regiment Tunis	Stabsfeldwebel	KC, March 24, 1943
134	M�ller	Gerhard	Germany	Heeres	PR 5, 21./PD	Oberst	KC, September 15, 1942
135	M�ller	Gottlob	Germany
136	M�ncheberg	Joachim	Germany
137	Nehring	Walter Karl	Germany
138	Neuffer	Georg	Germany
139	Panzenhagen	Albert	Germany
140	von Pohl	Maximilian Ritter	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stab	General der Flieger Stab: Liaison to Italian Air Force / General der Flieger und Kommandierender General der Luftwaffe in Mittel Italien	General	KC, June 15, 1944
141	Ponath	Gustav	Germany	Heeres	MG Btl. 8	Oberstleutnant	KC, KIA April 13, 1941
142	Quednow	Fritz	Germany	Luftwaffe: HG	Chef 5./J�g. Rgt �HG�	Hauptmann	KC, April 5, 1943	Quednow KIA 27.04.1943 near Tunis
143	Ramcke	Bernard Hermann	Germany		Fallschirmj�ger-Sturm-Rgt. Luftwaffenj�ger-Brigade 1 or Fallschirmj�ger-Ramcke Brigade		KC, August 21, 1941 Oakleaves (#145) November (13) 21, 1942
144	R�pprager	Ernst Willi	Germany
145	von Ravenstein	Hans	Germany
146	Redlich	Karl-Wolfgang	Germany		Squadron Leader I./JG 27		KC, July 9,  1941
147	Reinert	Ernst-Wilhelm	Germany
148	Reissmann	Werner	Germany	Heeres	Panzer Grenadier Rgt. 104	Hauptmann	KC, August 1, 1942
149	Riepold	Josef-Otto	Germany
150	Rochel (Rocholl)	Rolf	Germany	Heeres: Panzer	PR 5, 21./PD Kp. Kom. PR5/21./PD	Oberleutnant /Hauptmann	KC, December 2, 1942 (EL August 31, 1943) Oakleaves (#287) August 31, 1943 Posthumously, Kom. III./Gren.Rgt. 569
151	R�del	Gustav Siegfried	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	4./JG 27
152	Rommel	Erwin Johannes Eugen	Germany				KC, May 27, 1940 as Generalmajor 7./Panzer Division in France Oak Leaves (#10) March20, 1942 Generalleutnant of the Deutsches Afrika Korps. Swords (#6) January 20, 1942 General der Panzertruppen of Panzer Gruppe Afrika. Diamonds/Brillanten: March 11, 1943 (#6) recipient as the Generalfeldmarschall Afrika
153	Rosenbaum	Helmut	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-73	Kapit�nleutnant zur See	KC, August 12, 1942	Sunk HMS Eagle
154	Rowohl	Willi	Germany	Heeres	Zugf�hrer i. d. 2./Schtz.Rgt 115	Oberfeldwebel	KC, July 12, 1942
155	Rudorffer	Erich	Germany
156	Sauer	Hans	Germany	Luftwaffe: Pilot	LG 1	Leutnant	KC, July 5, 1941
157	Sch�fer	Heinrich	Germany	Luftwaffe	Zugf�hrer i. d. 4./J�g. Rgt �HG�	Oberfeldwebel	KC, August 8, 1944
158	Schairer	Hartmunt	Germany
159	Scheid	Johannes	Germany	Luftwaffe: HG	Zugf�hrer i. d. 11./Gren.Rgt 1 �HG�	Oberfeldwebel	KC, June 21, 1943
160	Schlund	Franz	Germany	Luftwaffe: Radio Telegraphist	Radio Telegraphist / Wireless operator onboard with 4./(K)LG 1	Oberfeldwebel	KC, August 30, 1941
161	Schonder	Heinrich	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-77	Kapit�nleutnant zur See	KC, August 19, 1942
162	Sch�neboom	Dietrich	Germany	Kriegsmarine: U-Boot	U-431	Kapit�nleutnant zur See	KC, October 20, 1943
163	Schmid	Joseph	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stab HG	Generalmajor Kdr der in Tunesien eingesetzten Teile der Division �General G�ring� [also called Kampfgruppe Schmid]	Generalmajor Kdr der in Tunesien	KC, May 21, 1943
164	Schmitt	Artur	Germany
165	Schreiber	Kurt	Germany	Luftwaffe: HG	Kdr II./Gren.Rgt 1 �HG�	Hauptmann	KC, June 21, 1943
166	Schroer	Werner	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	Kom. II./JG 27 Kom. JG 3	Hauptmann /Major	KC, October 20, 1942 Kom. 8./JG 27 Oakleaves (#268) August 2, 1943 Hauptmann Kom. II./JG 27 Swords (#144) April 19, 1945 Major Kom. JG 3
167	Schulte-Heuthaus	Hermann	Germany	Heeres	Kom. Kradsch�tzen Btl.25 (DAK)	Oberstleutnant	KC, January 23, 1942
168	Schultz	Otto	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	4./JG 51 Staffelkapit�n 6./JG 51	Oberfeldwebel /Hauptmann	KC, March 14, 1943 after 50th Victory	With 36 kills he came to Africa. Schultz run of success in Tunisia started in December  1942. By the end in Tunisia he had added another 20 with several more unconfirmed. He went on to aerial combat over Italy and in support of the Romanian oilfields. Schultz completed the war with 73 victories and more than 800 combat missions.
169	Schultz	Otto	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	II./JG 27	Oberfeldwebel /Oberleutnant	KC, February 22, 1942 after 400 Combat missions and 51 Victories (42 in NA)	Three in a day over Sollum on October 30, He was accidentally shot down by an Italian fighter pilot on December 19, 1941!KIA/Listed as MIA June 17, 1942
170	Schultz-Dickow	Fritz	Germany	Luftwaffe: Zerst�rer Pilot	Kom. 8./ZG 26	Oberleutnant	KC, March 7, 1942
171	Schwabach	Theodor	Germany
172	Schweiger	Franz	Germany
173	Seidemann	Hans	Germany
174	Seidensticker	August	Germany
175	Semrau	Paul	Germany	Luftwaffe: Nachtj�ger Pilot	Kom. 3./NJG 2	Hauptmann	KC, October 7, 1942 Oakleaves (#841) April 17, 1945
176	Senfft von (zu)Pilsach	Freiherr Ott-Friedrich	Germany	Heeres	PR 5	Oberleutnant	KC, June 27, 1942
177	Sigel	Walter	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	Kom. I./StG 76 Kom. StG 3	Hauptmann /Oberstleutnant	KC, July 21, 1940 Hauptmann Kom. I./StG 76 Oakleaves (#116) September 2, 1942 Oberstleutnant Kom. StG 3
178	von Sponeck	Theodor Graf	Germany
179	Stahlschmidt	Hans-Arnold	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	Staffelkapit�n II./JG 27
180	Steinhausen	G�nther	Germany	Luftwaffe: Fighter Pilot	Kom. 1./JG 27	Feldwebel	KC, November 3, 1942
181	Stiefelmayer	Otto	Germany
182	Stolz	Harald	Germany		Kradsch�tzen Btl. 43 (DAK)
183	Stotten	Hans G�nther	Germany
184	Straehler-Pohl	G�nther	Germany
185	Streich	Johannes	Germany	Heeres	Kom. 21./PD	Generalmajor	KC, March 31, 1941
186	Struckmann	Rudolf	Germany
187	Stry	Herbert	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stuka Pilot	III./StG 3	Oberleutnant	KC, September 24, 1942
188	Stumpf	Werner	Germany
189	Toll	Otto	Germany	Heeres: Pioneer	d.R. Zugf�hrer im Pi.Btl 200	Leutnant	KC, June 10, 1941	KC for actions in Tunisia
190	Ubben	Kurt	Germany
191	Voigtsberger	Heinrich	Germany	Heeres	MG Btl. 2	Oberstleutnant	KC, July 9, 1941 (EL December 9, 1943)
192	Wahl	Wolfgang	Germany
193	von Waldau	Otto Hoffmann	Germany	Luftwaffe: Stab	Fliegerf�hrer "AFRIKA"	Generalleutnant	KC, June 28, 1942
194	Walter	Domenikus	Germany	Luftwaffe: Ju-52 Pilot	Squadron Leader IV./KG z.b.V. 1	Oberfeldwebel	KC, December 23, 1942
195	Walter	Kurt	Germany
196	Freiherr von Wechmar	Irnfried	Germany	Heeres	Aufkl�rungs Abt. 3
197	Wehmeyer	Alfred	Germany	Luftwaffe: Zerst�rer Pilot	Kom. 7./ZG 26	Oberleutnant	KC, September 4, 1942
198	Weigand	Karl	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Kom. 2./FlaK-Rgt. 18 (mot.)	Oberleutnant	KC, May 9, 1942
199	Wendt	Wilhelm	Germany	Heeres	Panzer Regiment 5	Hauptfeldwebel	KC, June 30, 1941
200	Westphal	Siegfried	Germany
201	Witte	Heinrich	Germany	Luftwaffe: FlaK	Richtkanonier i. d. 7./Flak-Rgt �HG�	Obergefreiter	KC, May 18, 1943
202	Witzig	Rudolf	Germany	Luftwaffe: Falsch.	Korps-Fallsch.Pi.Btl.11	Major	KC, May 10, 1940
203	Wolz	Alwin	Germany
204	Wuppermann	Siegfried	Germany	Kriegsmarine: Schnellboots	Kom. S-56 3./Schnellbootsflotille	Oberleutnant zur See	KC, August 3, 1941 Oak Leaves (#226) April 14, 1943
205	Zahn	Dr. Eberhard	Germany
206	Zecherle	Konrad	Germany	Heeres: Panzer Aufkl�rungs	Panzeraufkl�rungs� Abteilung 90(formed [not fully realized] March 1943 from Aufkl. Abt 3 (mot) / 21. Pz.Div) Zugf�hrer i. d. 1./Pz.Aufkl.Abt.90 /90./le."AFRIKA" Div.	Leutnant d.R.	KC, May 10, 1943
207	Ziegler	Heinz	Germany	Heeres: Stab	Generalleutnant, im Stab d. 5. Pz. Armee [stellv. Fhr] und Fhr. der Kgr Ziegler	Generalleutnant, im Stab d. 5. Pz. Armee	KC, April 16, 1943

*The problem I have in properly defining Knight's Cross Holders in North Africa is the definite need for inclusion of, Oberleutnant (Kapit�nleutnant) zur See Friedrich Guggenberger, a KC with Oakleaves recipient Kptn. of U-81 which sank the Ark Royal whom should also be included as far as I would consider...

Some listed here were awarded the KC before their entry into NA or received the KC post NA but were deemed to be of importance in their total career with the inclusion of "AFRIKA" service.

"Nacht"

Knights Cross Award Levels (As received by associated members of North African Campaign)

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern)
Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz)

Created on September 1, 1939, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) was awarded for outstanding bravery in combat. It was open to all soldiers and to whatever that soldier's rank. Altogether, there were only 7,358 (alternate source 7,318) Knight's Crosses awarded during World War II, 4,682 of which went to the Heer (army) and 1,784 to the Luftwaffe. Alternate sources show different totals and distribution... Heeres: 4,785, Luftwaffe: 1,785, Kriegsmarine: 318 and Waffen SS: 460 with a total award difference of 50 honorees during WWII.

Higher levels of the award were introduced during the war: Oakleaves (June 3, 1940), awarded 890 times (including 246 to the Luftwaffe), Swords (June 21, 1941), awarded 160 times (including 52 times to the Luftwaffe), Diamonds (July 15, 1941) awarded just 27 times (including 12 times to the Luftwaffe) and finally Oakleaves in Gold with Swords (December 29, 1944), awarded on only one occasion to Hans-Ulrich Rudel, a Stuka pilot of the Luftwaffe, was the only recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. This highest level of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) was only to be allowed to be given on twelve occasions and it was awarded only on this one instance to this very special honoree.

Note: See Wikipedia Article on Knight's Cross / Ritterkreuz for a more complete explanation of the five possible levels of this award and award types, complete descriptions, and more... AANA Member NACHT

Hauptman Hans-Joachim Marseille's Awards...

Rommel's Pour le Merite and Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds (mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)

The Knights Cross Presentation / Holder

Knight's Cross Award Breakdown

DAK Award Winners... Ritterkreuz awards for actions from February 1941 through May 1943

AFRIKAKORPS' Highest Level Honorees

Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz
Two DAK Awardees: Highest Level / Award Date

• Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Marseille Staffelkapitan 3./J.G.27: 3 September, 1942

• Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel Oberbefehlshaber, Heeresgruppe Afrika : 11 March, 1943

Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Marseille... leads the list...
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Diamonds / Ritterkreuz mit Brillants officially named as the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)


Promoted to Staffelkapitan (Hauptman) and a final total of 158 victories in the air. Commander of 3./JG27

(13 December, 1919-30 September, 1942)

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten:

Fourth person to be awarded the Diamonds. 2 September, 1942 for 126 aerial victories. Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
12th recipient on 18 June, 1942 for 101 aerial victories.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
97th awarded serviceman on 6 June, 1942 for 97 aerial victories.

Ritterkreuz
Received 22 February, 1942 for 50th aerial victory.

Marseille's 'claimed' Diamonds on display at the Luftwaffen Museum, Uetersen, Germany. Marseille's brother, Rudolph, purports that Hans-Joachim was never personally presented the "Brillanten" nor was it delivered to his family after his death... allegedly it is retained at the Luftwaffen Museum...

Actually shown above is Werner Molder's (another Luftwaffe recipient's) cassette for the presentation of the Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds... in Luftwaffe gray-blue as would be the requirement for the leather to red for Army, and Blue for Naval awards as the Ritterkreuzurkunde color differentiation specified. This cassette would be similar to that which should have been delivered to Marseille or his family along with the Urkunde document...

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten

Second and only other DAK member to be awarded this honor...

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, Oberbefehlshaber, Heeresgruppe Afrika

(15 November 1891 � 14 October 1944)

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillanten:
Presented on 11 March, 1943 as the 6th recipient as the Generalfeldmarschall Afrika (the day before he left Africa)

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern:
Again, Rommel was the 6th recipient being awarded on 20 January, 1942 as General der Panzertruppen of Panzer Gruppe Afrika.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub:
Tenth award for this honor as acting Generalleutnant of the Deutsches Afrika Korps on March 20, 1941.

Ritterkreuz:
Received award 26 May, 1940 as Generalmajor 7./Panzer Division in France.

Rommel's Official photo as seen in Signal after the award...



Rommel's actual cassette... Document holder... A simile photo to show red leather color that would have been on his "Heeres"

cassette... Rommel's Actual Knight's Cross with Diamonds Award document...



Rommel's very own Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillanten

Bibliography

Walther-Peer Fellgiebel (2000), Die Tr�ger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5

AANA Members Comments and Additions

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