Walther von Hünersdorff

Walther von Hünersdorff
Born	(1898-11-28)28 November 1898 Cairo, Egypt
Died	17 July 1943(1943-07-17) (aged 44) field hospital at Charkow
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1915–1943
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	6. Panzer-Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Operation Winter Storm Battle of Kursk
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Walther von Hünersdorff (28 November 1898 – 17 July 1943) was a German Generalleutnant serving during World War II. 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.

Career

During the First World War von Hünersdorff entered the German army in 1915 and fought on the Western front. He was promoted to lieutenant in October 1916. After the German capitulation, he remained in the Reichswehr. Von Hünersdorff was promoted to first lieutenant in 1925, captain in 1933, major in 1936 and lieutenant-colonel in 1938. At the start of the Second World War von Hünersdorff served on the staff of the 253rd Infantry Division but on October 25, 1939 he was transferred to the staff of the II Army Corps. On September 12, 1940 he was made chief of staff of the XV Army Corps. With XV Army Corps part of Panzergruppe 3, von Hünersdorff served during Operation Barbarossa. Von Hünersdorff was promoted to colonel on July 1, 1941. On July 1, 1942 von Hünersdorff was given command of Panzer-Regiment 11 (part of the 6th Panzer Division). With this unit he served with distinction in the German attempts to relief the encircled Sixth Army in Stalingrad. In February 1943 von Hünersdorff took over command of the 6th Panzer Division and in May 1943 he was promoted to major general.

During the battle of Kursk von Hünersdorff was wounded near Belgorod by a Red Army sniper on 13 July 1943. A fragment of his steel helmet penetrated into his brain. The surgeon Oberstabsarzt of the Reserves Tönnis of the Luftwaffe attempted to save his life before he succumbed to his injuries on 17 July 1943. He was buried at the Military Cemetery at Charkow. The eulogy was held by Hermann Hoth and last honors by Erich von Manstein. Von Hünersdorff was posthumously promoted to lieutenant general.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Cross of Honor
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (14 May 1940)
  • 1st Class (27 May 1940)
• Panzer Badge
• Eastern Front Medal
• German Cross in Gold (26 January 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 22 December 1942 as Oberst and commander of the Panzer-Regiment 11
  • 259th Oak Leaves on 14 July 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of the 6. Panzer-Division

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 (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 3-7648-2299-6.

External links

• Media related to Walther von Hünersdorff at Wikimedia Commons
• Walther von Hünersdorff @ Lexikon der Wehrmacht
• Walther von Hünersdorff @ Geocities.com

Military offices
Preceded by Generalleutnant Erhard Raus	Commander of 6. Panzer Division 7 February 1943 – 17 July 1943	Succeeded by Generalmajor Wilhelm Crisolli