Walter Denkert

Walter Denkert
Born	23 February 1897 Kiel
Died	9 July 1982 (aged 85) Kiel
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918)  Weimar Republic (to 1933)  Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1914–45
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands held	6. Panzer-Division 19. Panzer-Division 3. Panzergrenadier-Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Moscow Case Blue Hube's Pocket Italian Campaign Operation Diadem Battle of Metz Battle of the Bulge Operation Lumberjack Ruhr Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Walter Denkert (23 February 1897 – 9 July 1982) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. 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. Walter Denkert was captured by American troops in April 1945 in the Ruhr Pocket and was held until 1947.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Wound Badge (1914)
  • in Black
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Infantry Assault Badge
• Eastern Front Medal
• German Cross in Gold (8 March 1945)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 May 1944 as Oberst and commander of 19. Panzer-Division^[1][2]
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (26 November 1944)

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
26 November 1944	In den bisherigen Kämpfen bei Aachen haben sich die 3. Panzergrenadierdivision unter Führung von Generalmajor Denkert und die 12. Volksgrenadierdivision unter Generalmajor Engel durch unerschütterliche Standhaftigkeit und hartnäckiges Zupacken bewährt.[3]	In the recent fighting near Aachen, the 3rd Panzer Grenadier Division under the leadership of Major-General Denkert and 12th Volks Grenadier Division under Major-General Engel have proven themselves by showing unwavering steadfastness and persistent grab.

References

Citations

1. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 159.
2. Scherzer 2007, p. 269.
3. Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 347.

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 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

• Walter Denkert @ Axis Biographical Research at the Wayback Machine (archived November 16, 2010)
• World War 2 Awards.com