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List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military of the Third Reich. Recipients are grouped by grades of the Knight's Cross. Within each grade the recipients are ordered chronologically. An exception is the lowest grade, here the recipients are ordered alphabetically by last name. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded. Broken out into sub lists are the recipients of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, one list for every year between 1940 and 1945 the award was presented. Also listed separately are the alphabetical lists of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients. The foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross and the foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves are listed separately as well.

The last legal presentation of the Knight's Cross, in any of its grades, had to be made before 23:01 Central European Time 8 May 1945, the time when the German surrender became effective. A number of presentations were made after this date, the last on 17 June 1945. These late presentations are considered de facto but not de jure awards. In 1986, the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) acknowledged 7,321 presentations made to the members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich for a total of 7,364 recipients.[1] Analysis of the German Federal Archives revealed evidence for 7,161 officially—de facto and de jure—bestowed recipients, including one additional presentation previously unidentified by the AKCR.[2] The AKCR names 890 recipients of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, including the eight recipients who served in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich. The German Federal Archives do not substantiate 27 of these Oak Leaves recipients. The Swords to the Knight's Cross were awarded 160 times according to the AKCR, among them the posthumous presentation to the Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, 13 of which cannot be supported by the German Federal Archives. The Diamonds to the Knight's Cross were awarded 27 times, all of which are verifiable in the German Federal Archives. The final grade, the Golden Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross was verifiably awarded once to Hans-Ulrich Rudel on 29 December 1944.

  This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
  This along with the * (asterisk), indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer [de; fr; uk] has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.

Background

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[3] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[4] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[5] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[6]

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross). This grade was awarded only once. The sole recipient was Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Göring, who at the same time was promoted to Reichsmarschall.[7]

NumberNameServiceRankRole and unitDate of awardNotes
1Hermann GöringLuftwaffeGeneralfeldmarschallReich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe[7]19 July 1940at the same time promoted to Reichsmarschall[7]

Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

The "Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds" is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944. This grade of the award was to be awarded twelve times only. The sole recipient was Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel.[8]

NumberNameServiceRankRole and unitDate of awardNotes
1Hans-Ulrich RudelLuftwaffeOberstleutnant[9]Geschwaderkommodore of Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[8]29 December 1944[9]at the same time promoted to Oberst[8]

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

The "Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds" is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 to reward those servicemen who had already been awarded the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Ultimately, it would be awarded to only twenty-seven German soldiers, sailors and airmen, ranging from young fighter pilots to field marshals.[10]

NumberNameServiceRankRole and unitDate of awardNotes
1Werner MöldersLuftwaffe17-LOberst[11]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51[12]15 July 1941[13][Note 1]Killed in plane crash 22 November 1941[13]
2Adolf GallandLuftwaffe17-LOberst[15]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[12]28 January 1942[15]
—
3Gordon GollobLuftwaffe15-LMajor[16]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77[12]29 August 1942[16]
—
4Hans-Joachim MarseilleLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[17]Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 27[12]3 September 1942[17]KIA 30 September 1942[18]
5Hermann GrafLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant of the Reserves[19]Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[12]16 September 1942[19]
—
6Erwin RommelHeer22-HGeneralfeldmarschall[20]Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Afrika[12]11 March 1943[21]Committed suicide 14 October 1944[22]
7Wolfgang LüthKriegsmarine15-MFregattenkapitän[23]Commander of U-181[12]9 August 1943[23]Killed 14 May 1945[23]
8Walter NowotnyLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[24]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[25]19 October 1943[24]KIA 8 November 1944[26]
9Adelbert SchulzHeer17-HOberst[27]Commander of Panzer-Regiment 25[25]14 December 1943[27]KIA 28 January 1944[27]
10Hans-Ulrich Rudel+Luftwaffe15-LMajor[28]Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[25]29 March 1944[9]Awarded 1st (and only) Golden Oak Leaves 29 December 1944[9]
11Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und CamminetzHeer17-HOberst[29]Commander of a Panzer Group in the Heeresgruppe Nord[25]15 April 1944[29]Promoted to Generalmajor with the Diamonds[25]
12Herbert Otto GilleWaffen-SS19-WSS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS[29]Commander of 5. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"[25]19 April 1944[30]
—
13Hans HubeHeer20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[31]Commander of 1. Panzerarmee[25]20 April 1944[32]Promoted to Generaloberst with the Diamonds,[25] killed in a plane crash 21 April 1944[32]
14Albert KesselringLuftwaffe22-LGeneralfeldmarschall[32]OB Süd (Heeresgruppe C)[25]19 July 1944[33]
—
15Helmut LentLuftwaffe16-LOberstleutnantGeschwaderkommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 3[25]31 July 1944[34]KIA 7 October 1944[35]
16Josef DietrichWaffen-SS21-WSS-Oberstgruppenführer and Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS[35]Commanding general of I. SS-Panzerkorps "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[25][Note 2]6 August 1944[37]
—
17Walter ModelHeer22-HGeneralfeldmarschall[37]Commander in chief of Heeresgruppe Mitte[25]17 August 1944[38]Committed suicide 21 April 1945[38]
18Erich HartmannLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[38]Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[25]25 August 1944[39]
—
19Hermann BalckHeer20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[40]Acting commander of 4. Panzerarmee[25]31 August 1944[40]
—
20Hermann-Bernhard RamckeLuftwaffe19-LGeneralleutnant[41]Commander of Fortress Brest[42]19 September 1944[43]Awarded the Swords simultaneously with the Diamonds.[43]
21Heinz-Wolfgang SchnauferLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[43]Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[42]16 October 1944[44]
—
22Albrecht BrandiKriegsmarine15-MFregattenkapitän[45]Commander of U-967[42]24 November 1944[45]
—
23Ferdinand SchörnerHeer21-HGeneraloberst[46]Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Nord[42]1 January 1945[46]
—
24Hasso-Eccard von ManteuffelHeer20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[46]Commander-in-chief of 5. Panzerarmee[42]18 February 1945[47]
—
25Theodor TolsdorffHeer18-HGeneralmajor[47]Commander of 340. Volks-Grenadier-Division[42]18 March 1945[48]
—
26Dr. med. dent. Karl MaussHeer19-HGeneralleutnant[49]Commander of 7. Panzer-Division[42]15 April 1945[49]
—
27Dietrich von SauckenHeer20-HGeneral der Panzertruppe[49]Commander-in-chief of Armeeoberkommando East Prussia[42]8 May 1945[50]
—
Rank on day of awardHeerWaffen-SSKriegsmarineLuftwaffeForeignersTotals
Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral213
Generaloberst / Generaladmiral112
General der Infanterie etc. / Admiral44
Generalleutnant / Vizeadmiral1113
Generalmajor / Konteradmiral11
Oberst / Kapitän zur See224
Oberstleutnant / Fregattenkapitän11
Major / Korvettenkapitän224
Hauptmann / Kapitänleutnant22
Oberleutnant / Oberleutnant zur See33
Totals11221227

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
YearNumber of presentationsPosthumous presentations
1941
5
0
1942
18
1
1943
20
2
1944
76
10
1945
41
2

The "Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords" is also based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 to reward those servicemen who had already been awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The sequential numbers greater than 143 are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and therefore denoted in brackets.[51] The number of the 160 Sword recipients is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the (AKCR).[52] Author Veit Scherzer has challenged the validity of 13 of these listings.[2] The majority—12 recipients—of these disputed recipients have received the award in 1945. The deteriorating situation of the Third Reich during the final days of World War II has left the nominations unfinished in various stages of the approval process. Hermann Fegelein had received the Oak Leaves in 1942 but was sentenced to death by Adolf Hitler and executed by SS-Gruppenführer Johann Rattenhuber's Reichssicherheitsdienst (RSD) on 28 April 1945 after a court martial led by SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke. The sentence was carried out the same day. The death sentence, according to German law, resulted in the loss of all orders and honorary signs.[53]

No.NameServiceRankRole and unitDate of awardNotes
1Adolf Galland+Luftwaffe16-LOberstleutnant[15]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[54]21 June 1941[15]Awarded 2nd Diamonds 28 January 1942[15]
2Werner Mölders+Luftwaffe15-LMajor[13]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51[54]22 June 1941Awarded 1st Diamonds 15 July 1941[13]
3Walter OesauLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannGruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 3[54]15 July 1941[Note 3]KIA 11 May 1944
4Günther LützowLuftwaffe15-LMajorGeschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3[54]11 October 1941
—
5Otto KretschmerKriegsmarine15-MKorvettenkapitänCommander of U-99[54]26 December 1941
—
6Erwin Rommel+Heer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommander of Panzergruppe Afrika[54]20 January 1942[20]Awarded 6th Diamonds 11 March 1943[56]
7Heinrich BärLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[Note 4]Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[54]16 February 1942
—
8Hans PhilippLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[58]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[54]12 March 1942[59]KIA 8 October 1943[60]
9Herbert IhlefeldLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannGruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 77[54]24 April 1942
—
10Max-Hellmuth OstermannLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[60]Staffelkapitän of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 54[54]17 May 1942[61]KIA 9 August 1942[62]
11Hermann Graf+Luftwaffe12-LLeutnant of the Reserves[19]Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[54]19 May 1942[17][Note 5]Awarded 5th Diamonds 16 September 1942[19]
12Hans-Joachim Marseille+Luftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[17]Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 27[54]18 June 1942[17]Awarded 4th Diamonds 3 September 1942[17]
13Gordon Gollob+Luftwaffe14-LHauptmann[16]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77[64]23 June 1942[16]Awarded 3rd Diamonds 30 August 1942[16]
14Leopold SteinbatzLuftwaffe10-LOberfeldwebel[62]Pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[64]23 June 1942*KIA 15 June 1942[65]
15Albert Kesselring+Luftwaffe22-LGeneralfeldmarschall[32]OB Süd[64]18 July 1942[32]Awarded 14th Diamonds 19 July 1944[33]
16Werner BaumbachLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannGruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 30[64]17 August 1942[Note 6]
—
17Erich ToppKriegsmarine14-MKapitänleutnantCommander of U-552[64]17 August 1942
—
18Reinhard SuhrenKriegsmarine14-MKapitänleutnantCommander of U-564[64]1 September 1942
—
19Joachim MünchebergLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannDeputy Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[64]9 September 1942KIA 23 March 1943
20Joachim HelbigLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannGruppenkommandeur of the I. (Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1[64]28 September 1942
—
21Karl EiblHeer18-HGeneralmajor[67]Commander of 385. Infanterie-Division[64]19 December 1942[67]KIA 21 January 1943[68]
22Hans Hube+Heer19-HGeneralleutnant[31]Commanding general of the XIV. Panzerkorps[64]21 December 1942[31]Awarded 13th Diamonds 20 April 1944[32]
23Wolf-Dietrich WilckeLuftwaffe15-LMajor[69]Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[64]23 December 1942[69]
—
KIA 23 March 23 1944[67]
24Alfred DruschelLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[67]Deputy Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 1[64]19 February 1943
—
25Hermann Balck+Heer19-HGeneralleutnant[40]Commander of 11. Panzer-Division[64]4 March 1943[40]Awarded 19th Diamonds 31 August 1944[40]
26Josef Dietrich+Waffen-SS20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS[70]Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[64]14 March 1943[70]Awarded 16th Diamonds 6 August 1944[37]
27Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz+Heer17-HOberst of the Reserves[71]Commander of Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland"[72]28 March 1943[71]Awarded 11th Diamonds 15 April 1944[29]
28Walter Model+Heer21-HGeneraloberst[73]Commander-in-chief of 9. Armee[72]2 April 1943[73]Awarded 17th Diamonds 17 August 1944 Committed suicide 21 April 1945[38]
29Wolfgang Lüth+Kriegsmarine14-MKorvettenkapitän[23]Commander of U-181[72]15 April 1943[23]Awarded 7th Diamonds 9 August 1943[23]
30Walter GornHeer17-HOberstCommander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10[72]8 June 1943
—
31Dietrich PeltzLuftwaffe17-LOberst im GeneralstabAngriffsführer England[72]23 July 1943
—
32Helmut Lent+Luftwaffe15-LMajorGruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[72]2 August 1943Awarded 15th Diamonds 31 July 1944[34]
33Adelbert Schulz+Heer16-HOberstleutnant[27]Commander of Panzer-Regiment 25[72]6 August 1943[27]Awarded 9th Diamonds 14 December 1943; KIA 28 January 1944[27]
34Günther RallLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannGruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 52[72]12 September 1943
—
35Hermann HothHeer21-HGeneraloberst[68]Commander-in-chief of 4. Panzerarmee[72]15 September 1943[74]
—
36Josef HarpeHeer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of XXXXI Panzerkorps[72]15 September 1943
—
37Walter Nowotny+Luftwaffe14-LHauptmann[24]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[72]22 September 1943Awarded 8th Diamonds 19 October 1943; KIA 8 November 1944[75]
38Waldemar von Gazen, called von GazaHeer15-HMajorLeader of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66[72]3 October 1943
—
39August DieckmannWaffen-SS16-WSS-ObersturmbannführerCommander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland"[76]10 October 1943*KIA 10 October 1943[77]
40Günther Hans von KlugeHeer22-HGeneralfeldmarschallCommander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Mitte[72]29 October 1943Committed suicide 19 August 1944
41Gerhard Graf von SchwerinHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 16. Panzergrenadier-Division[72]4 November 1943
—
42Hans-Ulrich Rudel+Luftwaffe14-LHauptmann[28]Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[72][Note 7]25 October 1943[28]Awarded 10th Diamonds 29 March 1944; 1st Golden Oak Leaves 29 December 1944[9]
43Hajo HerrmannLuftwaffe17-LOberstInspekteur der deutschen Luftverteidigung[79][Note 8]23 January 1944
—
44Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-WittgensteinLuftwaffe15-LMajorGeschwaderkommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2[79]23 January 1944*KIA 21 January 1944[81]
45Erich BärenfängerHeer15-HMajor[74]Commander of the III./Grenadier-Regiment. 123[79]23 January 1944[82]Committed suicide 2 May 1945[83]
46Dietrich von Saucken+Heer19-HGeneralleutnant[49]Commander of 4. Panzer-Division[79]31 January 1944[50]Awarded 27th Diamonds 8 May 1945[50]
47Herbert Otto Gille+Waffen-SS19-WSS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS[29]Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier Division "Wiking"[79]20 February 1944[30]Awarded 12th Diamonds 19 April 1944[30]
48Hermann BreithHeer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of III. Panzerkorps[79]21 February 1944
—
49Dr. med.dent. Franz BäkeHeer16-HOberstleutnant of the Reserves[83]Commander of Panzer-Regiment 11[79]21 February 1944[84]
—
50Hasso-Eccard von Manteuffel+Heer19-HGeneralleutnant[85]Commander of 7. Panzer-Division[79]22 February 1944'[85]Awarded 24th Diamonds 18 February 1945[47]
51Egon MayerLuftwaffe16-LOberstleutnantGeschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[79]2 March 1944*KIA 2 March 1944[86]
52Gerhard BarkhornLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[84]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 52[79]2 March 1944[87]
—
53Franz GriesbachHeer17-HOberstCommander of Grenadier-Regiment 399[79]6 March 1944
—
54Werner StreibLuftwaffe15-LMajorGeschwaderkommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[79]11 March 1944
—
55Richard HeidrichLuftwaffe19-LGeneralleutnantCommander of 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division[79]25 March 1944
—
56Hinrich SchuldtWaffen-SS17-WSS-OberführerCommander of 2. lett. SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade[79]25 March 1944*KIA 15 March 1944[88]
57Georg-Wilhelm PostelHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 320. Infanterie-Division[79]26 March 1944
—
58Wend von WietersheimHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 11. Panzer-Division[79]26 March 1944
—
59Erich von Lewinski, called von MansteinHeer22-HGeneralfeldmarschallCommander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Süd[89]30 March 1944
—
60Paul Ludwig Ewald von KleistHeer22-HGeneralfeldmarschallCommander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe A[89]30 March 1944
—
61Alwin BoerstLuftwaffe15-LMajor[90]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[89]6 April 1944*[91]KIA 30 March 1944[92]
62Dr. jur. Ernst KupferLuftwaffe17-LOberstFormer Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2[89]11 April 1944*Killed in flying accident 6 November 1943[93]
63Hans KreysingHeer20-HGeneral der GebirgstruppeCommanding general of XVII. Armeekorps[89]13 April 1944
—
64Hans JordanHeer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommanding general of VI. Armeekorps[89]20 April 1944
—
65Hermann PrießWaffen-SS18-WSS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS[94]Commander of 3. SS-Panzer Division "Totenkopf"[89]24 April 1944[95]
—
66Albrecht Brandi+Kriegsmarine14-MFregattenkapitän[45]Commander of U-380[89]9 May 1944[45]Awarded 22nd Diamonds 24 November 1944[45]
67Ludwig HeilmannLuftwaffe17-LOberstCommander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3[89]15 May 1944
—
68Georg-Hans ReinhardtHeer21-HGeneraloberstCommander-in-chief of 3. Panzerarmee[89]26 May 1944
—
69Horst NiemackHeer17-HOberstCommander of Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"[89]4 June 1944
—
70Alfons KönigHeer16-HOberstleutnant of the ReservesCommander of Grenadier-Regiment 199 "List"[89]9 June 1944
—
KIA 8 July 1944
71Michael WittmannWaffen-SS14-WSS-HauptsturmführerChief of the 2./schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 501[89][Note 9]22 June 1944KIA 8 August 1944[89]
72Eduard DietlHeer21-HGeneraloberstCommander-in-chief of 20. Gebirgsarmee[89]1 July 1944*Killed in flying accident 23 June 1944[36]
73Josef PrillerLuftwaffe16-LOberstleutnantGeschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[89]2 July 1944
—
74Friedrich LangLuftwaffe15-LMajorGruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 1[89]2 July 1944
—
75Erich Hartmann+Luftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[38]Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[89]4 July 1944[39]Awarded 18th Diamonds 25 August 1944[39]
76Smilo Freiherr von LüttwitzHeer19-HGeneralleutnant[95]Commander of 26. Panzer-Division[97]4 July 1944[98]
—
77Hans DorrWaffen-SS15-WSS-SturmbannführerCommander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania"[97]9 July 1944Died of wounds 17 April 1945[97]
78Anton HacklLuftwaffe15-LMajorGruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 11[97]9 July 1944[Note 10]
—
79Reiner StahelHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of Fester Platz Wilna[97]18 July 1944
—
80Theodor Tolsdorff+Heer16-HOberstleutnant[48]Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 1067 and leader of a Kampfgruppe[97]18 July 1944[48]Awarded 25th Diamonds 18 March 1945[48]
81Fritz BayerleinHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of Panzer-Lehr-Division[97]20 July 1944
—
82Johannes SteinhoffLuftwaffe16-LOberstleutnantGeschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77[97]28 July 1944
—
83Hermann Fegelein?[Note 11]Waffen-SS19-WSS-Gruppenführer[102]Commander of 8. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division "Florian Geyer"[97]30 July 1944Executed 28 April 1945[103]
84Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer+Luftwaffe14-LHauptmann[43]Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[97]30 July 1944[43][Note 12]Awarded 21st Diamonds 16 October 1944[44]
85Fritz von Scholz Edler von RaranczeWaffen-SS19-WSS-GruppenführerCommander of 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier Division "Nordland"[97]8 August 1944*KIA 28 July 1944[105]
86Felix SteinerWaffen-SS20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SSCommanding general of III. germanische SS-Panzerkorps[97]10 August 1944
—
87Walter FriesHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 29. Panzergrenadier Division[97]11 August 1944
—
88Kurt BühligenLuftwaffe15-LMajorGeschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[97]14 August 1944
—
89Dr. rer. pol., Dr. Ing. Johannes MayerHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 329. Infanterie-Division[97]23 August 1944
—
90Paul HausserWaffen-SS21-WSS-Oberstgruppenführer and Generaloberst of the Waffen-SSCommander-in-chief of 7. Armee[97]28 August 1944
—
91Kurt MeyerWaffen-SS17-WSS-StandartenführerCommander of 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend"[106]27 August 1944
—
92Robert Ritter von GreimLuftwaffe21-LGeneraloberstCommander-in-chief of Luftflotte 6[106]28 August 1944[Note 13]
—
93Ferdinand Schörner+Heer21-HGeneraloberst[108]Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Nord[106]28 August 1944[46]Awarded 23rd Diamonds 1 January 1945[46]
94Theodor WischWaffen-SS18-WSS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SSCommander of 1. SS-Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[106]30 August 1944
—
95Otto BaumWaffen-SS17-WSS-StandartenführerCommander of 2. SS-Panzer Division "Das Reich"[106]2 September 1944
—
96Hans KrohLuftwaffe17-LOberstLeader of 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division[106]12 September 1944
—
97Wilhelm WegenerHeer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommanding general of L. Armeekorps[106]17 September 1944KIA 24 September 1944
98Theodor NordmannLuftwaffe15-LMajorGruppenkommandeur of the II./Schlachtgeschwader 1[106]17 September 1944
—
99Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke+Luftwaffe19-LGeneralleutnant[41]Commander of fortress Brest[106]19 September 1944[43]Awarded 20th Diamonds simultaneously with the Swords 19 September 1944[43]
100Otto von KnobelsdorffHeer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of XXXX. Panzerkorps[106]21 September 1944
—
101Dr. med. dent. Karl Mauss+Heer18-HGeneralleutnant[49]Commander of 7. Panzer-Division[106]23 October 1944Awarded 26th Diamonds 15 April 1945[49]
102Werner ZieglerHeer15-HMajorLeader of Grenadier-Regiment 186[106]23 October 1944
—
103Fritz FeßmannHeer14-HHauptmann of the ReservesCommander of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5[106]23 October 1944*KIA 11 October 1944[109]
104Hermann RecknagelHeer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommanding general of XXXXII. Armeekorps[106]23 October 1944KIA 23 January 1945
105Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von EdelsheimHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 24. Panzer-Division[106]23 October 1944
—
106Hans KällnerHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 19. Panzer-Division[106]23 October 1944KIA 18 April 1945
107Werner MummertHeer17-HOberst of the ReservesCommander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 103[110]23 October 1944
—
108Josef WurmhellerLuftwaffe14-LHauptmannGruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[110]24 October 1944*KIA 22 June 1944[111]
109Dr. rer. pol. Hermann HohnHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 72. Infanterie-Division[110]31 October 1944
—
110Hans von ObstfelderHeer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommanding general of LXXXVI. Armeekorps[110]5 November 1944
—
111Ernst-Günther BaadeHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 90. Panzergrenadier Division[110]16 November 1944KIA 8 May 1945
112Karl-Lothar SchulzLuftwaffe17-LOberstLeader of 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division[110]18 November 1944
—
113Otto KittelLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnantStaffelkapitän of the 2./Jagdgeschwader 54[110]25 November 1944KIA February 14/16 1945
114Georg Freiherr von BoeselagerHeer16-HOberstleutnantLeader of 3. Kavallerie-Brigade[110]28 November 1944*KIA 26 August 1944[92]
115Helmuth WeidlingHeer20-HGeneral der ArtillerieCommanding general of XXXXI. Panzerkorps[110]28 November 1944
—
116Heinz HarmelWaffen-SS18-WSS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SSCommander of 10. SS-Panzer Division "Frundsberg"[112]15 December 1944
—
117Traugott HerrHeer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of LXXVI. Panzerkorps[110]18 December 1944
—
118Alfred-Hermann ReinhardtHeer19-HGeneralleutnantCommander of 98. Infanterie-Division[110]24 December 1944
—
119Joachim PeiperWaffen-SS16-WSS-ObersturmbannführerCommander of SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[113]11 January 1945
—
120Walter KrügerWaffen-SS20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SSCommanding general of VI. Waffen-Armeekorps der SS[113][Note 14]11 January 1945Committed suicide 22 May 1945
121Wolfgang KretzschmarHeer17-HOberstCommander of Jäger-Regiment 24 (L)[113]12 January 1945*KIA 27 December 1944[115]
122Dr. jur. Lothar RendulicHeer21-HGeneraloberstCommander-in-chief of 20. Gebirgs-Armee[113]18 January 1945
—
123Maximilian WenglerHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 227. Infanterie-Division[113]21 January 1945KIA 25 April 1945
124Walther NehringHeer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of XXIV. Panzerkorps[113]22 January 1945
—
125Hermann HogebackLuftwaffe16-LOberstleutnantGeschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 6[113]26 January 1945
—
126Erich RudorfferLuftwaffe15-LMajor[103]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54[113]26 January 1945[116]
—
127Friedrich KirchnerHeer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of LVII. Panzerkorps[113]26 January 1945
—
128Friedrich-Wilhelm MüllerHeer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommanding general of LXVIII. Armeekorps[113]27 January 1945
—
129Helmut DörnerWaffen-SS17-WSS-OberführerLeader of a Kampfgruppe in the 4. SS-Polizei Panzergrenadier Division[113]1 February 1945KIA 11 February 1945
130Ernst-Wilhelm ReinertLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnantStaffelkapitän of the 14./Jagdgeschwader 27[113]1 February 1945
—
131Erich WaltherLuftwaffe17-LOberstLeader of Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Division 2 "Hermann Göring"[113]1 February 1945
—
132Max SachsenheimerHeer18-HGeneralmajor[117]Commander of 17. Infanterie-Division[113]6 February 1945[118]
—
133Gerd von RundstedtHeer22-HGeneralfeldmarschallOB West[113]18 February 1945
—
134Dietrich von MüllerHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 16. Panzer-Division[113]20 February 1945
—
135Friedrich SchulzHeer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommander-in-chief of 17. Armee[113]26 February 1945
—
136Gotthard HeinriciHeer21-HGeneraloberstCommander-in-chief of 1. Panzerarmee[119]3 March 1945
—
137Heinz-Georg LemmHeer16-HOberstleutnant[118]Commander of Füsilier-Regiment 27[119]15 March 1945[120]
—
138Otto KummWaffen-SS18-WSS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SSCommander of 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen"[119]17 Mar 1945
—
139Walter HartmannHeer20-HGeneral der ArtillerieCommanding general of VIII. Armeekorps[119]18 March 1945
—
140Georg BochmannWaffen-SS17-WSS-Oberführer[121]Leader of 18. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel"[119]30 March 1945[108]
—
141Arthur JüttnerHeer17-HOberstCommander of Grenadier-Regiment 164[119]5 April 1945
—
142Hermann von Oppeln-BronikowskiHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 20. Panzer-Division[119]17 April 1945
—
143Hellmuth MäderHeer18-HGeneralmajor[108]Commander of Führer-Grenadier Division[119]18 April 1945[122]
—
(144)Werner SchröerLuftwaffe15-LMajorGeschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[119]19 April 1945[Note 15]
—
(145)Wilhelm BatzLuftwaffe15-LMajorGruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 52[119]21 April 1945
—
(146)Johannes BlaskowitzHeer21-HGeneraloberstOB Niederlande[119]24 April 1945
—
(147)Hermann Niehoff?[Note 16]Heer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommander of fortress Breslau[119]26 April 1945
—
(148)Hermann-Heinrich BehrendHeer18-HGeneralmajorCommander of 490. Infanterie-Division[119]26 April 1945
—
(149)Karl Decker?[Note 17]Heer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of XXXIX. Panzerkorps[119]26 April 1945*Committed suicide 21 April 1945[127]
(150)Otto Weidinger?[Note 18]Waffen-SS16-WSS-Obersturmbannführer[122]Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer"[119]6 May 1945[129]
—
(151)Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny?[Note 19]Waffen-SS16-WSS-ObersturmbannführerCommander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland"[119]6 May 1945
—
(152)Sylvester Stadler?[Note 20]Waffen-SS17-WSS-OberführerCommander of 9. SS-Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen"[119]6 May 1945
—
(153)Wilhelm Bittrich?[Note 21]Waffen-SS20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SSCommanding general of II. SS-Panzerkorps[119]6 May 1945
—
(154)Fritz-Hubert Gräser?[Note 22]Heer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommander-in-chief of 4. Panzerarmee[119]8 May 1945
—
(155)Eugen Meindl?[Note 23]Luftwaffe20-LGeneral der FallschirmtruppeCommanding general of II. Fallschirm-Korps[135]8 May 1945
—
(156)Karl Alfred Thieme?[Note 24]Heer16-HOberstleutnantCommander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111[135]9 May 1945
—
(157)Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz?[Note 25]Heer20-HGeneral der PanzertruppeCommanding general of XXXXVII. Panzerkorps[135]9 May 1945
—
(158)Otto Hitzfeld?[Note 26]Heer20-HGeneral der InfanterieCommanding general of LXVII. Armeekorps[135]9 May 1945
—
(159)Josef Bremm?[Note 27]Heer16-HOberstleutnantCommander of Grenadier-Regiment 990[135]9 May 1945
—
Isoroku YamamotoImperial Japanese Navy22-MFleet AdmiralCommander-in-chief of the IJN Combined Fleet[135]27 May 1943*KIA 18 April 1943[140]
Rank on day of awardHeerWaffen-SSKriegsmarineLuftwaffeForeignersTotals
Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral4116
Generaloberst / Generaladmiral81110
General der Infanterie etc. / Admiral214126
Generalleutnant / Vizeadmiral133218
Generalmajor / Konteradmiral12416
Oberst / Kapitän zur See76720
Oberstleutnant / Fregattenkapitän84618
Major / Korvettenkapitän3111318
Hauptmann / Kapitänleutnant141520
Oberleutnant / Oberleutnant zur See156
Leutnant / Leutnant zur See11
Oberfeldwebel / Oberwachtmeister11
Totals77245531160

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
YearNumber of presentationsPosthumous presentations
1940
7
0
1941
50
3
1942
111
7
1943
192
17
1944
328
46
1945
194
19

The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves was based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940. A total of 7 awards were made in 1940; 50 in 1941; 111 in 1942; 192 in 1943; 328 in 1944, and 194 in 1945, giving a total of 882 recipients—excluding the 8 foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

The number of 882 Oak Leaves recipients is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[52] Author Veit Scherzer has challenged the validity of 27 of these listings.[2] With the exception of Hermann Fegelein, all of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of the Third Reich during the final days of World War II left the nominations unfinished in various stages of the approval process.[53]

Rank on day of awardHeerWaffen-SSKriegsmarineLuftwaffeForeignersTotals
Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral611311
Generaloberst / Generaladmiral113115
General der Infanterie etc. / Admiral5082464
Generalleutnant / Vizeadmiral77615291
Generalmajor / Konteradmiral43915159
Oberst / Kapitän zur See781258103
Oberstleutnant / Fregattenkapitän471931988
Major / Korvettenkapitän73911531147
Hauptmann / Kapitänleutnant6862476174
Oberleutnant / Oberleutnant zur See19454068
Leutnant / Leutnant zur See1112133
Stabsfeldwebel / Stabswachtmeister11
Oberfeldwebel / Oberwachtmeister17724
Feldwebel / Wachtmeister549
Unteroffizier / Oberjäger33
Totals50974532468890

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
YearNumber of presentationsPosthumous presentations
1939
26
0
1940
448
9
1941
787
34
1942
975
68
1943
1,422
136
1944
2,468
240
1945
1,195
94

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross).

Beginning letterRecipients
According to AKCR		Additional recipients
According to Veit Scherzer		Delisted
According to AKCR		Disputed
According to Veit Scherzer
A118[141]
—
1[142]3[143]
Ba–Bm, Bn–Bz368[144] + 357[145] = 725
—
1[146]13[147] + 8[148] = 21
C82[149]
—
—
—
D238[150]
—
—
6[151]
E188[152]
—
—
3[153]
F280[154]
—
1[155]12[156]
G380[157]
—
1[158]11[159]
Ha–Hm, Hn–Hz437[160] + 224[161] = 661
—
1[162]15[163] + 14[164] = 29
I26[165]
—
—
—
J142[166]
—
1[155]4
Ka–Km, Kn–Kz289[167] + 428[168] = 717
—
1[169]4[170] + 8[171] = 12
L386[172]
—
—
16[173]
M457[174]
—
17
N145[175]
—
2[176]2[124]
O82[177]
—
—
2[178]
P324[179]
—
15[180]
Q7[181]
—
—
—
R447[182]1[183]
—
11
Sa–Schr, Schu–Sz457[184] + 603[185] = 1,060
—
—
11[186] + 14[187] = 25
T182[188]
—
—
5
U32[189]
—
—
1[190]
V92[191]
—
—
5
W446[192]
—
—
11
X1
—
—
—
Z103[193]
—
—
2[194]
Totals7,321111193

Non-existent recipients

Since the end of World War II, numerous people have claimed to be unrecognised recipients of the Knight's Cross. The majority of these "recipients" are lacking any evidence to sustain their claims and are thus denied the right to consider themselves "legal recipients". There are two cases where the legal proof of the award exists even though the recipients do not. These two "legally correct" recipients are Günther Nowak and Heinrich Scherhorn.[195]

Günther Nowak, Hitlerjugend, was awarded the Knight's Cross on 14 February 1945 for the destruction of eleven tanks in Hindenburg, Oberschlesien. It was always assumed that he was the youngest recipient of the Knight's Cross; however, Günther Nowak never really existed — a deserting Commander of the Volkssturm named Sachs was caught and claimed that, after the retreat of the Wehrmacht, he had destroyed five tanks single-handedly. Because of this, he was taken to a Gauleiter. Fearing that his lie would be unveiled, he created the story of Günther Nowak in order to lessen his own "feat". This report was then sent to Reichsleiter Martin Bormann. Bormann immediately awarded the German Cross in Gold to the Volkssturm-Commander Sachs and the Knight's Cross to Nowak.[195]

Foreign recipients

Foreign servicemen who did not serve in the German Wehrmacht or the Waffen-SS during World War II and were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross or its higher grade the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves are listed in the List of foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Notes

Citations

References

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • O'Donnell, James Preston (1978). The Bunker: The History of the Reich Chancellery Group. Boston, United States: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0-395-25719-7.
  • 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 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2005). Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941–45. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publisher. ISBN 1-84176-643-7.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2006). Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941–45. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publisher. ISBN 1-84176-644-5.

External links

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