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Wittchow, von Brese-Winiary, Heinz (PGR 108)

Date of birth:
January 13th, 1914 (Dresden/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
December 3rd, 1995 (Freiburg im Breisgau/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Between 14 December 1942 and 22 February 1943, von Brese commanded Kampfgruppe von Brese in the Stalingrad region. On 1 September 1944, after being promoted to Oberst, he was given command of the Panzerfüsilier-Regiment "Grossdeutschland", which he surrendered on 18 February 1945 when he was wounded the last time.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Battalion-Adjutant, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 10
Awarded on:
October 24th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Battalion-Adjutant, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 10
Awarded on:
June 24th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Battalion-Adjutant, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 10
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1940
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kompaniechef, 6. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 10
Awarded on:
November 10th, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kompaniechef, 6. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 10, 4. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1941

Award 40/71.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kompaniechef, 6. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108, 14. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
April 24th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108, 14. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108
Awarded on:
April 11th, 1943
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108, 14. Panzer-Division, Generalkommando z.b.V. Mieth, 6. Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:
May 15th, 1943
Awarded the Knight's Cross for his achievements during the critical winter of 1942-43 on the southern sector of the eastern front. He led a scratch regimental battlegroup with soldiers from various units in the following actions...

1) Fighting at the Chir river in the densely forested area east of Kustowskoj.
2) Serving as the ready reserve of Korpsgruppe Mieth, where it especially distinguished itself in a counterattack east of Kar Beljanski on the Bjelaja river.
3) Ejecting a group of Soviets that had infiltrated German positions at the end of January 1943, thus preventing an early abandonment of the Manytsch position.

1795th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108
Awarded on:
March 2nd, 1944
Nahkampfspange in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108, 14. Panzer-Division, XXXXVII. Panzer-Korps, 8. Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:
April 6th, 1944
Awarded the Oakleaves for the leadership of his Kampfgruppe during the Cherkassy encirclement, where he and his men were separated from their parent division but managed to break out with other German forces encircled in the pocket.

441st Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

Photo