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Grusche, Hermann

Date of birth:
July 20th, 1897 (Neugersdorf/Saxony, German Empire)
Date of death:
February 9th, 1978 (Wuppertal/Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Hermann Grusche was wounded near Ersfeld/Westerwald by an US shrapnel in the face and shoulder on March 25th, 1945 and was hospitalizes in Meerane, Saxony. Here he was taken captive by the US Army on March 25th/26th and subsequently released on June 12th, 1945. Grusche was arrested by the Soviets and German communists in July, 1945, after the US withdrawal from Thuringia and West Saxony. After his arrest, Grusche was held at Chemnitz-Kaßberg, Bautzen prison, Mühlberg/Elbe camp. Frankfurt/Oder, as well as 4 prison camps in the USSR. Released from Soviet captivity: mid-December 1949.

Promotions:
October 7th, 1917: Gefreiter
March 6th, 1918: Unteroffizier u Asp.Offz.
October 10th, 1918: Vizewachtmeister
June 30th, 1922: Leutnant
April 1st, 1936: Oberleutnant der Reserve.
July 1st, 1940: Hauptmann der Reserve;
August 1st, 1942: Major der Reserve;
October 1st, 1944: Oberstleutnant der Reserve.

Civil career:
1920/30s: Teacher in Meerane/Saxony
1950/60s: Teacher in Wuppertal.

Hermann Grusche was one of the builders of the former Meerane gymnastic community house (now town house).

Military career:
January 29th, 1917: Volunteered with the 6. Bttr. / Feldartillerie - Regiment No. 28 in Bautzen/Saxony (from May 1917 deployed at the Western Front).

September 1939 - March 1940: 40 Batterie 692 (21 cm Mörser 18)
March 7th 1940: schwere Artillerie-Abteilung 615;
August 16th, 1941 - June 15th, 1944: Kommandeur, schwere Artillerie-Abteilung (motorisiert) 637;
September 18th, 1944: Kommandeur, Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 388;
October 30th, 1944: Kommandeur, Volks-Artillerie-Korps 388.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Awarded on:
October 12th, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
2.K.S. Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 28
Awarded on:
May 3rd, 1918
Friedrich-August-medaille in Silber
Rank:
Vizewachtmeister
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1921
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Awarded on:
July 20th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
schwere Artillerie-Abteilung 637, 4. Panzerarmee, Heer
Awarded on:
June 23rd, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Awarded on:
August 18th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Awarded on:
July 17th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber

Sources

Photo