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Lange, Dr.med.dent, Walter (Grenadier-Regiment 43)

Date of birth:
July 14th, 1898 (Berlin/Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:
October 30th, 1982 (Osnabrück/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
19.12.1917 Gefreiter
10.04.1918 Unteroffizier
12.09.1918 Vizefeldwebel
01.08.1923 Oberfähnrich
01.12.1923 Leutnant (20)
01.02.1928 Oberleutnant (42)
01.07.1938 Hauptmann der Landwehr (4)
01.10.1941 Major der Landwehr
01.01.1943 Oberstleutnant der Landwehr
30.04.1943 m.W.v. 01.03.1943 Oberstleutnant - RDA 01.01.1943 (170)
08.08.1943 m.W.v. 01.07.1943 Oberst (43)

Career:
21.11.1916: Kriegsfreiwilliger-Grenadier, 4. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
16.01.1917: Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 422
27.12.1918: Freikorps Petsch - Grenzschutz Ost
12.08.1919: Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment 39
02.01.1921: Infanterie-Regiment 2 - 2. Infanterie-Regiment
06.08.1921: Offizier-Anwärter
31.12.1929: retired
00.00.1930-00.00.1934: Student der Zahnheilkunde, Universität Königsberg, Preußen
00.00.1934: Dr.med.dent. - Zahnarzt
26.08.1939: Kdr, III. Bataillon, Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiments 162
21.01.1940-04.02.1940: Stabsoffizier-Lehrgang
09.03.1940: Führer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 250
01.08.1940: Infanterie-Regiment 250
15.08.1940: Untergruppe 2, Ausbildungs-Leiter Lyck
21.09.1940: Standortältester Modlin
21.10.1940: Führer, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 43
16.01.1941: Führer, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 43
02.02.1941: Hauptmann beim Stabe, Infanterie-Regiment 43
01.03.1941: Führer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 43
25.06.1941: WIA
15.10.1942: Führer, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 43
01.11.1942: Führer, Grenadier-Regiment 43
01.01.1943: Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 43
30.04.1943: activated
27.02.1944: Führerreserve OKH (I)
08.05.1944: Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 917
30.07.1944: POW - France

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
August 24th, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1919
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 3rd, 1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Landwehr
Awarded on:
September 24th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on August 24th 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Hauptmann der Landwehr
Awarded on:
October 30th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on January 8th 1918.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Hauptmann der Landwehr, Bataillonsführer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 43, 1. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 20th, 1941

155th Award.
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Awarded on:
July 24th, 1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Unit:
Major der Landwehr, Führer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 43, 1. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 14th, 1942

Award 88/55
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 9th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 13th, 1942
other sources give 21.09.1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant der Reserve (Lieutenant-colonel of Reserves)
Awarded on:
November 19th, 1942
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Unit:
Major der Landwehr, Führer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 43, 1. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 19th, 1942

1358th Award.
Was written in the Ehrenblatt and receive the Spange when it was introduced.
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant der Reserve (Lieutenant-colonel of Reserves)
Unit:
Oberstleutnant der Landwehr, Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 43, 1. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
February 10th, 1943
The following newspaper article (dated 03.03.1943) describes why Lange received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberstleutnant Dr. Lange and his East Prussian Grenadier-Regiment fought off attacks by 13 enemy regiments, 2 ski battalions and 2 tank battalions over the course of a 10 day period in the area south of Lake Ladoga. All assaults were crushed, and what enemy forces did penetrate the lines were crushed in close combat.”

The aforementioned time period was the 12-22.01.1943. In that time it defended successfully against attacks by 13 Soviet rifle regiments, 2 ski battalions and 2 tank regiments. In this time Lange particularly distinguished himself on the 22.01.1943, when the Soviets were able to penetrate the German line with two battalions over a width of 500 metres with the goal of taking the Sinjawino block. With just 60 men, Lange personally led a flanking thrust against this Soviet force, eliminating it in close combat and retaking the old German line.

1542nd Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 43, 1. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
During August 1943 the Soviets launched two separate attempts to collapse the German front on both sides of the Sinjawino heights by attacking it from the rear. However their attempts to do so were stymied, in large part due to the defense put up by the Grenadier-Regiment 43 around Poretschje, which smashed every Soviet attack. For his leadership of the Regiment during this time and his share in its success, Lange would be decorated with the Oakleaves.

300th Award.

Sources

Photos