Helmut Arpke

Helmut Arpke
Helmut Arpke
	Helmut Arpke
Born	20 March 1917; Graudenz
Died	16 January 1942 (aged 24); near Schaikowka, Kaluga
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Template:Luftwaffe
Rank	Oberleutnant der Reserve
Unit	Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch"
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of Fort Eben-Emael; Battle of Crete; Eastern Front;
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Helmut Arpke (born 20 March 1917 in Graudenz; killed in action 16 January 1942 near Schaikowka) was a member of the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions during the Battle of Fort Eben-Emael. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Awards

Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (12 May 1940)^[1]
- 1st Class (12 May 1940)^[1]
Cuffband "Crete"
Eastern Front Medal
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 May 1940 as Feldwebel in the assault group "Stahl" of the Luftlande-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch"^[2]^[3]

Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
Kurowski, Franz (1995). Knights of the Wehrmacht Knight's Cross Holders of the Fallschirmjäger. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military. ISBN 978-0-88740-749-9.
Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die 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 Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
Thomas, Franz; Wegmann, Günter (1986). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Teil II: Fallschirmjäger (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-1461-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)