Paul Völckers

Paul Völckers
Born (1891-03-15)15 March 1891
Kiel
Died 25 January 1946(1946-01-25) (aged 54)
Russia
Allegiance  German Empire (to 1918)
 Weimar Republic (to 1933)
 Nazi Germany
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1910–45
Rank General der Infanterie
Commands held 78. Infanterie-Division
XXVII. Armeekorps
Battles/wars

World War I

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Paul Gustav Völckers (15 March 1891 – 25 January 1946) was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the XXVII Armeekorps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was captured by Soviet troops in 1944 during Operation Bagration and died in Soviet captivity in 1946.

Awards and decorations

Wehrmachtbericht references

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Saturday, 12 December 1942 Bei den Kämpfen südwestlich Kalinin zeichnete sich die 78. Infanteriedivision unter Führung des Generalleutnants Völkers und eine Sturmgeschützabteilung besonders aus.[2] In the battles southwest Kalinin, the 78th Infantry Division under the command of Lieutenant-General Völkers and an Assault Gun Battalion especially distinguished itself.
23 November 1943 Westlich Smolensk haben die unter dem Oberbefehl des Generalobersten Heinrici und unter Führung des General der Infanterie Voelckers stehende schlesische 18. Panzergrenadierdivision, die württembergisch-badische 25. Panzergrenadierdivision, die württembergisch-badische 78. Sturmdivision, die 1. SS-Infanteriebrigade (mot.) und die im Erdkampf eingesetzten Teile der 18. Flakdivision in der siebentägigen 3. Schlacht an der Smolensker Rollbahn einen hervorragenden Abwehrerfolg errungen. 34 Schützendivisionen und 6 Panzerbrigaden der Sowjets rannten hier vergeblich gegen die deutschen Abwehrstellungen an und erlitten dabei beispiellose Verluste an Mensch und Material.[3] West of Smolensk, under the command of Colonel General Heinrici and under the leadership of General of Infantry Voelcker, the Silesian 18th Panzer Grenadier Division, the Württemberg-Baden 25th Panzer Grenadier Division, the Württemberg-Baden 78th Panzer Assault Division, the 1st SS-Infantry-Brigade (motorized) and those elements of the 18th Flak Division used in ground combat, have achieved an outstanding defensive success in the seven-day 3rd Battle of the Smolensk runway road. 34 rifle divisions and 6 armored brigades of the Soviets ran in vain against the German defenses and thereby suffered unprecedented losses in men and material.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 350.
  2. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 393.
  3. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 612.

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. 
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8. 
  • 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. 
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, 1. Januar 1942 bis 31. Dezember 1943 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 2, 1 January 1942 to 31 December 1943] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2. 

External links

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