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Mehring, Theodor

Date of birth:
October 12th, 1905 (Bar Driburg/Westernphalia, Germany)
Date of death:
December 1st, 1956 (Marburg a. d. Lahn/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
January 1st, 1943: Oberstleutnant im Generalstab (RDA -65-);
?: Oberst.

Career:
August 26th, 1939: Ib., 221. Infanterie-Division;
January 14th, 1940: Quartiermeister, Höheren Kommando z.b.V. XXXVII;
May 19th, 1940: Quartiermeister, Generalkommando, X. Armeekorps;
April 1st, 1941: Ia, 239. Infanterie-Division;
March 25th, 1942: Ia., 294. Infanterie-Division;
May 21st, 1944: Chef des Generalstabes, XXIX. Armeekorps.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Ib., 221. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Ia, 239. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
September 9th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Ia., 294. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant im Generalstab (Lieutenant-colonel to the General Staff)
Unit:
Ia, 294. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 17th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant im Generalstab (Lieutenant-colonel to the General Staff)
Unit:
Chef des Generalstabes, XXIX. Armeekorps, Heer
Awarded on:
July 15th, 1944
In April 1944, during the fighting NW of Odessa, Soviet forces in the rear of the German fighting units succeeded in separating the divisions of the XXIX. Armee-Korps from the corps headquarters and push the latter towards the south. In this situation the commander of the 3. Gebirgs-Division (Wittmann) formed an ad-hoc headquarters with command over all the units belonging to the XXIX. Armee-Korps, with Oberstleutnant i.G. Mehring (the chief of staff of the XXIX. Armee-Korps) being appointed as his chief of staff.

In the time period 05-10.04.1944 this command led the pocket of German soldiers around Bakalowo in a breakout towards the west in the direction of Kutschurgan. In this time Mehring especially distinguished himself as an advisor and helper to Wittmann, reenergizing attacks that had stalled immediately after being appointed. His efforts played a major part in cutting off the supply road to the Soviet spearheads lying to the SW, which were thereby isolated. This in turn facilitated the breakout of the German divisions from the trap.

For his role in aiding the breakout Mehring would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo