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Löwrick, Karl

Date of birth:
November 8th, 1894 (Podlechen/Easprussia, Germany)
Date of death:
April 8th, 1945 (Pillau/Eastprussia, Germany)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Pillau / Baltijsk
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Karl Löwrick was killed in a plane crash on April 8th, 1945. At that moment he served as Kommandeur 542. Volksgrenadier-Division with the rank of Generalleutnant.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur III. / Infanterie-Reigment 272
Awarded on:
August 5th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Löwrick received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberstleutnant Löwrick’s personal devotion to duty inspired his Bataillon forwards during the heavy fighting for the Maginot Line (specifically south of Saarbrücken) on the 14.06.1940. By doing so he decisively contributed to the fall of the heavily fortified Cappel Position in a timely manner. After this it was again his powerful force of will and exemplary devotion to duty which played a major role in the success of his Bataillon’s subsequent attack. Because of this it was able to secure its objective despite the uncommonly fierce flanking artillery and MG fire that was concentrated on his Bataillon.”

During the storming of the fortifications at Cappel Löwrick himself captured a bunker while fighting at the head of his men.

Other sources state that Löwrick and his Bataillon distinguished themselves specifically during the pursuit battles in Lorraine, where they played a key part in the crossing over the Rhine-Marne canal and the storming of the Meurthe bridges at Rosieres.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 272
Awarded on:
May 17th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
At the end of February 1943 Oberst Löwrick and his Regiment were involved in a fierce defensive battle south of Cholm. As Soviet battalions moved to attack his men from the rear, Löwrick brought up two guns and with these began direct fire on those opposing forces in position at a forest edge from a range of 500 meters. By doing this he brought the Soviet offensive to a halt and stabilized the situation. A few days later, after strong Soviet units broke into his frontline, he threw the attackers back in a counterthrust using several light AA machine guns. Löwrick would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross for successfully holding his ground during this time.

247th Award.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 8th, 1945
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
May 9th, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 14th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 20th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914

Sources

Photo