Gerhard Behnke

Gerhard Behnke
Born 23 December 1910
Danzig, German Empire
Died 9 May 1962(1962-05-09) (aged 51)
Cologne, West Germany
Allegiance  Weimar Republic (to 1933)
 Nazi Germany (to 1945)
 West Germany
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1928–45
1956–62
Rank Major (Wehrmacht)
Oberst (Bundeswehr)
Commands held Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 203
Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 322
Battles/wars

World War II

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. 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

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.[5] 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

  1. 1 2 Thomas 1997, p. 36.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thomas & Wegmann 1985, p. 30.
  3. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 108.
  4. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 75.
  5. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 3, p. 221.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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. 
  • 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. 
  • Thomas, Franz; Wegmann, Günter (1985). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Teil I: Sturmartillerie [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the German Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Part I: Assault Artillery] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-1447-2. 
  • Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2299-6. 
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 3, 1 January 1944 to 9 May 1945] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2. 

External links

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