Gerhard Behnke

Gerhard Behnke
Born	23 December 1910 Matzkau
Died	9 May 1962(1962-05-09) (aged 51) Cologne
Allegiance	Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1928–1945 1956–1962
Rank	Major (Wehrmacht) Oberst (Bundeswehr)
Commands held	Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 203 Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 322
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Operation Barbarossa Battle of Moscow Battle of the Caucasus Battle of Stalingrad
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Gerhard Wilhelm Behnke (23 December 1910 – 9 May 1962) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II and an Oberst in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Gerhard Behnke was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was released within the year. He later joined the Bundeswehr and served until his death in 1962

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (25 July 1941)
  • 1st Class (12 August 1941)
• Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black (17 August 1941)
  • in Silver (15 September 1941)
  • in Gold (6 July 1943)
• General Assault Badge (11 October 1941)
• Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (15 October 1944)
• Eastern Front Medal (5 September 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 8 February 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 203
  • 605th Oak Leaves on 4 October 1944 as Major and commander of Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 322
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (27 August 1944)

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
27 August 1944 (addendum)	In der Abwehrschlacht nordwestlich von Baranow hat sich eine Kampfgruppe von Sturmgeschützen und Pionieren unter Führung von Major Behnke durch unerschütterliche Standhaftigkeit ausgezeichnet.	In the defensive battle northwest of Baranov a battle group of assault guns and pioneers led by Major Behnke distinguished themselves by showing unwavering perseverance.

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
• Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
• Thomas, Franz and Wegmann, Günter (1985). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Teil I: Sturmartillerie (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 3-7648-1447-0.
• Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 3-7648-2299-6.
• Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.

External links

• Lexikon der Wehrmacht
• World War 2 Awards.com
• Ritterkreuztraeger 1939-1945