Date of birth:

May 9th, 1918 (Haan-Düsseldorf/Rheinland, Germany)

Date of death:

February 14th, 2008 (Erfstadt-Lechenich/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 16th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 8th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer 2. / Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie Division / LIII.Armee-Korps / 2.Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

September 18th, 1942

During a Soviet attack spearheaded by 30 tanks, which took place SW of Kaluga on the 22.08.1942, Leutnant Niggemeyer was able to knock out two Soviet tanks in close combat and in doing so compel the rest to retreat. Through this act a Soviet breakthrough attempt against the German bridgehead here came to naught, and for this Niggemeyer would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

1194th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer 2. / Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie Division

Awarded on:

August 25th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer 2. / Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie Division

Awarded on:

August 25th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Bataillonsadjutant Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie Division

Awarded on:

January 3rd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Bataillonsadjutant Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie Division

Awarded on:

January 3rd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Bataillonsadjutant Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie-Division / General-Kommando z.b.V. Raus / Armee-Abteilung Kempf / Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

May 17th, 1943

In January 1943 the 26. Infanterie-Division, positioned along the Don south of Voronezh, was forced to retreat on account of the ferocious Soviet attacks. During the withdrawal movement, on the evening of the 20.01.1943, two Soviet heavy tanks with tank riders blocked the Division’s retreat route and wrought chaos on the jammed march columns with MGs and cannon.

Acting on his own initiative, Leutnant Niggemeyer assembled two assault teams and advanced towards the tanks. Through concentrated fire the Soviet infantry were eliminated, and the tanks were immobilized with Teller AT mines. Their bailed out crews were then defeated with MPs and bayonets. The blocking position was thus removed, and the whole Division could retreat along the road as planned. For this act Niggemeyer would receive the Oakleaves.

241st Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
• - SCHERZER, VEIT, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2015.
  - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
  - Bender R.J., Breyette T., Tank Killers, RJ Bender Publications, 2000, ISBN 0-912138-83-1
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Hayden M., German Military Ribbon Bars 1914-1957, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, 2001
  - Das-Ritterkreuz.de