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Eggers, Wilhelm (Infanterie-Regiment 490)

Date of birth:
July 7th, 1910 (Scheessel an der Wümme/Hannover, Germany)
Date of death:
March 11th, 1989 (Rotenburg an der Wümme/Lowersaxony, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
00.07.1938: Wachtmeister und Reserve-Offizier-Anwärter
01.09.1940: Leutnant d. R.
03.11.1941: Oberleutnant d. R.
01.03.1942: Rittmeister d. R.
25.10.1944: SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R.

Career:
01.04.1931: Unteroffiziers-Anwärter, Reiter-Regiment 13
21.05.1935: retired as Unteroffizier
22.05.1935: Unteroffizier, Kavallerie-Regiment 13
00.07.1938: Wachtmeister, Reserve-Offiziers-Anwärter
00.10.1939: ROA, Reiter-Ersatz-Schwadron 13
02.01.1940: ROA, Stabs-Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 490
27.01.1942: Oberleutnant d.R., Chef, 13. (IG) Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 490
00.01.1942: fightings in Leningrad
28.02.1942: IG-Ersatz-Kompanie 269
02.07.1942: Rittmeister d.R., Chef, 13. (IG) Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 490
01.03.1943: Rittmeister d.R., Kommandeur, Radfahr-Abteilung 240
20.04.1944: Rittmeister d.R., Kdr, Aufklärungs-Ersatz-Abteilung 13, Lüneburg
25.10.1944: retired

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Awarded on:
1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 11th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 2nd, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 13. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 490, 269. Infanterie-Division, XXVIII. Armee-Korps, 18. Armee
Awarded on:
March 16th, 1942
The following wartime excerpt describes why Eggers would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant Eggers demonstrated true heroism during the battles for Pogostje. His exemplary personal actions and inspiring boldness were decisive for the conclusion of this bitter combat. 4 enemy divisions had attempted to force a breakthrough and thereby bring relief to Petersburg. But they failed, and lost 4000 dead in the process.”

The following press article provides further details as to this action…

“Oberleutnant Eggers significantly contributed to the hard defensive battles south of Lake Ladoga through his indefatigable and ruthless devotion to duty. His actions helped ensure that over 40 enemy attacks were repulsed (some of these via counterthrusts). The Soviet intention to force a breakthrough with their concentrated divisions failed to produce results thanks to the tenacious will to resist of Oberleutnant Eggers and his brave infantry.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille

Sources

Photo