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Alberts, Otto (Grenadier-Regiment 501)

Date of birth:
February 22nd, 1893 (Wesel, Germany)
Date of death:
December 10th, 1943 (Lake Dolyskoje-Brjaschki, Eastern Front)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Sebesh
Plot: 11. Grave: UNK.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Oberst Otto Franz Eduard Josef Maria Alberts
Promotions:
22.03.1915: Leutnant d.R.
05.12.1920: Leutnant d.R. RDA v. 05.12.1920 (5A)
09.03.1937: Oberleutnant d.R. RDA v. 01.04.1937
00.00.1938: Hauptmann d.R. RDA v. 01.08.1937 (203)
12.09.1939: Major d.R. RDA v. 01.08.1939 (32)
09.12.1941: Major d.R. RDA v. 01.12.1936 (91)
11.09.1942: Oberstleutnant d.R. RDA v. 01.10.1942 (14)
11.05.1943: Oberst d.R. RDA v. 01.04.1943 (2)

Career:
08.08.1914: Kaiser-Franz Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2
22.03.1915: MG-Scharfschützen-Abteilung 17
26.08.1939: Chef - 7./ Infanterie-Regiment 39
28.02.1941: III./ Infanterie-Regiment 502
00.00.1941: Kommandeur - Stab III./ Infanterie-Regiment 501
01.10.1942: Stab/ Grenadier-Regiment 501
10.12.1943: Oberst, KIA in Brjaschki

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
WIA 15.07.1918
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 10th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 501, 290. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1941
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1943
WIA 15.07.1918 + 11.06.1942 + 06.03.1943 + 10.12.1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst der Reserve (Colonel of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 501, 290. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
December 10th, 1943
Alberts was the commander of an Infanterie-Regiment in the northern sector of the eastern front during the fighting near Newel in November 1943. On the 06.11.1943 the Soviets attacked the German 122. and 290. Infanterie-Divisionen with 11 rifle divisions and 3 tank brigades. The German defense held initially, but became strained under the unceasing attacks.

In this time Alberts’ Regiment fought southwest of Newel, and on the 13.11.1943 its frontline was penetrated on the right flank. In response Alberts pulled back his Grenadiers to a rearward blocking position on his own initiative and in a completely orderly fashion. This new defensive position held for 10 hours, after which friendly reserves arrived and stabilized the situation.

Alberts was approved for the Knight’s Cross for his leadership in this battle, but he was killed in action before he got a chance to receive it.

posthumously awarded
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo