Wilhelm Knauth

Wilhelm Knauth
Born	29 January 1916 Salchendorf
Died	25 April 1945 (aged 29) Halbe
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1936–38 1939–45
Rank	Hauptmann of the Reserves
Unit	Panzer-Regiment 5 Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 505
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of France North African Campaign Operation Battleaxe Operation Crusader Battle of Gazala First Battle of El Alamein Second Battle of El Alamein Battle of Kursk Battle of Smolensk (1943) Operation Bagration East Prussian Offensive Battle of Halbe
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Wilhelm Knauth (29 January 1916 – 25 April 1945) was a highly decorated Hauptmann of the Reserves 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.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (25 May 1940)
  • 1st Class (11 November 1940)
• Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black
  • in Silver
  • in Gold
• Panzer Badge
  • in Silver (?)
  • Grade II (26 March 1944)
  • Grade III (26 October 1944)
• Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (7 September 1943)
• German Cross in Gold (20 January 1945)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 November 1943 as Oberleutnant of the Reserves and leader of the 3./Panzer-Abteilung 505^[1]

References

Citations

1. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 215.

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.

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com