Gerhard Engel

Gerhard Michael Engel
Gerhard Engel
Born	13 April 1906 Guben
Died	9 December 1976(1976-12-09) (aged 70) Munich
Allegiance	Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1925–1945
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	12. Infanterie-Division 12. Volksgrenadier-Division Infanterie-Division "Ulrich von Hutten"
Battles/wars	World War II Annexation of Austria Siege of Leningrad Operation Bagration Minsk Offensive Battle of Aachen Battle of Hürtgen Forest Battle of the Bulge Battle of Halbe
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Gerhard Michael Engel (13 April 1906 – 9 December 1976) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. 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 Engel was captured by American troops in 1945 and was held until 1947.

Awards and decorations

• Anschluss Medal (21 November 1938)
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (26 February 1944)
  • 1st Class (23 May 1944)
• Wound Badge
  • in Black
  • in Silver
  • in Gold
• Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
• War Merit Cross with Swords
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Order of St. Sava 3rd Class (28 July 1939)
• Order of the Crown of Italy Officer (14 July 1938)
• Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Officer (14 July 1938)
• Order of the Crown (Romania) (7 June 1940)
• Order of the Cross of Liberty 2nd class with Swords
• German Cross in Silver (16 October 1943)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 4 July 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Füsilier-Regiment 27
  • 679th Oak Leaves on 11 December 1944 as Generalmajor and commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (26 November 1944)

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.

External links

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

Military offices
Preceded by Generalleutnant Rudolf Bamler	Commander of 12. Infanterie-Division 28 June 1944 – October 1944	Succeeded by Renamed 12. Volksgrenadier-Division
Preceded by Previously 12. Infanterie-Division	Commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division October 1944 – November 1944	Succeeded by Generalmajor Günther Rohr
Preceded by Generalmajor Günther Rohr	Commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division November 1944 – 1 January 1945	Succeeded by Oberst Langhäuser
Preceded by Oberst Langhäuser	Commander of 12. Volksgrenadier-Division 27 March 1945 – 12 April 1945	Succeeded by None
Preceded by Generalleutnant Edmund Blaurock	Commander of Infanterie Division "Ulrich von Hutten" 13 April 1945 – May 1945	Succeeded by None