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	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]

References

Citations

1. Thomas & Wegmann 1986, p. 9.
2. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 117.
3. Scherzer 2007, p. 195.

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.
• 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 [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 (1986). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Teil II: Fallschirmjäger [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the German Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Part II: Paratroopers] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-1461-8.

External links

• Helmut Arpke @ Ritterkreuzträger 1939-45