Breger, Claus
- Date of birth:
- October 25th, 1910 (Pinnow/Pommerania, Germany)
- Date of death:
- December 17th, 1944 (Sankt Vith, Belgium)
- Buried on:
- German War Cemetery Stadtkyll
Row: 1. Grave: 17. - Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Claus Breger was posthumously promoted to Major.
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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Stabsfeldwebel (Sergeant Major)
- Unit:
- 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 27, 12. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- February 16th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Stabsfeldwebel (Sergeant Major)
- Unit:
- Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 27, 12. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- September 4th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann (Captain)
- Unit:
- Komandeur, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Füsilier-Regiment 27, 12. Volksgrenadier-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- January 14th, 1945
The following newspaper article (dated 19.01.1945) describes why Breger received the Oakleaves…
“The 700th Oakleaves:
On the 14.01.1945 the Führer awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Hauptmann Klaus Breger, Bataillon commander in the Rostocker Füsilier-Regiment of a Volksgrenadier-Division. He is the 700th soldier of the German Wehrmacht to be so honoured.
Hauptmann Berger outstandingly distinguished himself in both attack and defense over the course of days of heavy fighting during the Third Defensive Battle of Aachen. In this time he intercepted a dangerous North American penetration with his signals troops, messengers and drivers, with the result that the penetration was sealed off. On the next day he freed 20 German soldiers from enemy captivity during an immediate counterattack of his own. In all of this combat he was a role model for his soldiers, who were in turn inspired to give the best that they had. On the 17.12.1944 Hauptmann Breger succumbed to a severe battle injury.”
700th Award.
Awarded posthumously.
“The 700th Oakleaves:
On the 14.01.1945 the Führer awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Hauptmann Klaus Breger, Bataillon commander in the Rostocker Füsilier-Regiment of a Volksgrenadier-Division. He is the 700th soldier of the German Wehrmacht to be so honoured.
Hauptmann Berger outstandingly distinguished himself in both attack and defense over the course of days of heavy fighting during the Third Defensive Battle of Aachen. In this time he intercepted a dangerous North American penetration with his signals troops, messengers and drivers, with the result that the penetration was sealed off. On the next day he freed 20 German soldiers from enemy captivity during an immediate counterattack of his own. In all of this combat he was a role model for his soldiers, who were in turn inspired to give the best that they had. On the 17.12.1944 Hauptmann Breger succumbed to a severe battle injury.”
700th Award.
Awarded posthumously.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1993.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V.
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