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Buckel, Karl (Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277)

Date of birth:
June 12th, 1920 (Mörzhaim/Palatinate, Germany)
Date of death:
September 2nd, 1997 (Wedemark/ Lower Saxony, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Karl Buckel served after the Second World War with the German Bundeswehr until 30th September 1976 and here finally became Oberstleutnant.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Arbeitsmann (Worker)
Unit:
RAD.-Abteilung 4/84 (S III), Reichsarbeitsdienst
Awarded on:
March 15th, 1940
Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
2. Batterie, Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 189, Heer
Awarded on:
December 16th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
2. Batterie, Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 189, Heer
Awarded on:
January 20th, 1942
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
July 22nd, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 7th, 1942
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
2. Batterie, Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 189, Heer
Awarded on:
October 15th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1943
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 17th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 27th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
December 27th, 1943
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
1. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, Heer
Awarded on:
March 21st, 1944
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef, 1. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, Heer
Awarded on:
March 21st, 1944
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef, 3. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, Heer
Awarded on:
July 2nd, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef, 3. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, Heer
Awarded on:
July 15th, 1944
Following the loss of Vitebsk the hard-pressed 212. Infanterie-Division found itself defending a provisional defensive position near Lepel (southwest of Vitebsk). The Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277 was dispatched to help the Division complete its defensive mission.

When Soviet forces succeeded in breaking through near Durilowitschi Oberleutnant Buckel’s 3. Batterie was deployed to the area as the last reserve. The Sturmgeschütze were first able to bring the Soviet assault to a halt by destroying numerous tanks. With the help of hastily assembled stragglers, Oberleutnant Buckel then launched a counterthrust that pushed the Soviets back across the original German frontline.

Thanks to Buckel’s actions here it was possible for Durilowitschi, the cornerstone of the Division, to be retaken and held until the ordered withdrawal. The permanent loss of this village would have collapsed the entire front of the Korps, but this was averted due to Buckel’s intervention. For this achievement he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef, 3. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, Heer
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1944
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen

Sources