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Zeller, Conrad (Grenadier-Regiment 380)

Date of birth:
September 9th, 1911 (Schöntal an der Jagst/Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:
January 24th, 1996 (Stuttgart/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 1st, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 14th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (Lieutenant)
Unit:
III./Infanterie-Regiment 380 / 215. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
November 12th, 1942

Award 231/23.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 15th, 1943

2270th Award.
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 380 / 215.Infanterie-Division / L.Armee-Korps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
January 5th, 1944
On the 13.12.1943 the Soviets attacked the so called "Finger position" south of Puschkin, near Leningrad, and were able to capture a portion of it. Zeller independently led his subordinate 10. Kompanie and the attached 2. Kompanie into a counterattack to fully recapture the lost ground. With machine-pistol in hand, he succeeded in recapturing most of the lost ground over the course of 3 and a half hours. The last 150 metres of ground were eventually taken and subsequently lost to a Soviet counterattack. However the following day Zeller continued the attack and recaptured the position for good. He received the Knight's Cross for this action.

2520th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur III. / Grenadier-Regiment 380 / 215.Infanterie-Division / XXVIII.Armee-Korps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
June 9th, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
In the defensive battle south of Pskov, on the 31.03.1944, the Soviets captured the town of Krapiwinka and from there threatened the road Pskov—Ostrow. In response Hauptmann Zeller repositioned his forces to shield his south flank and launched a counterattack with his reserve Kompanie and 6 Sturmgeschütze from Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 184, and was able to retake Krapiwinka. Two further breakthroughs at Stremutka and Letowo were also defeated that day, with the result that the main defensive line of the Regiment could be held.

Over the course of a 7 day period the next April Zeller was involved in defeating a total of 55 Soviet attacks, leading 10 counterattacks in the process. His contributions were a key factor in the German resistance and the consequent holding of the frontline. For these defensive successes he was awarded the Oakleaves to his Knight's Cross.

495st Award.

Sources

  • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
  • - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
    - Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, 2001
    - Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
    - Zeller, K., Mehrle, H. & Glauner, T., Die würtembergisch-badische 215.Infanterie-Division – 1936-1945, Nebel Verlag GmbH, Eggolsheim, Deutschland, 2004

Photo