Crüwell, Ludwig
- Date of birth:
- March 20th, 1892 (Dortmund/Westernphalia, Germany)
- Date of death:
- September 25th, 1958 (Essen/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Ludwig Crüwel finally reached the rank of General der Panzertruppe.
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1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- May 22nd, 1940
Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on September 20th 1914.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 6th, 1940
Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on September 17th 1916.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Generalmajor (Brigadier)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur 11.Panzer-Division / XIV. Armee-Korps / 2.Armee
- Awarded on:
- May 14th, 1941
“Generalmajor Crüwell broke through the Yugoslavian border positions in the Nisava valley with his Panzer-Division. He and his men captured Nisch on the 09.04.1941 and broke the fighting capabilities of the Yugoslavian Army and People with the capture of Belgrade on the 13.04.1941. 40000 prisoners, 30 batteries, 24 aircraft and a large amount of other materiel fell into the hands of the 11. Panzer-Division.”
The following press excerpt further details these actions as follows…
“While serving in his role as commander of a Panzer-Division, Generalmajor Crüwell broke through the Yugoslavian border positions in the Nisava valley and reached the assigned objective of Belgrade within five days despite the very bad weather and road conditions. In the process he and his men smashed at least five enemy divisions and a cavalry division while also triggering the disintegration of further significant elements of the Yugoslavian army. The resistance of the enemy was thus shattered to the point where the government was forced to make an offer of a ceasefire already on the day after Belgrade’s capture.
This success can be attributed to the brave personal actions of Generalmajor Crüwell, who operated amongst the lead elements of his Division. His ruthless energy helped to ensure that his soldiers were able to overcome all the difficulties created by the weather, terrain and exhaustion.”
286th Award.
Submitted on April 17th 1941.
Preliminary document and decoration on May 19th 1941 to AOK 12.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Generalmajor (Brigadier)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur 11.Panzer-Division / Panzergruppe 1 / Heeresgruppe Süd
- Awarded on:
- September 1st, 1941
The following wartime excerpt describes why Crüwell was awarded the Oakleaves…
“On the 10.07.1941 a major Soviet offensive against Berditschew began. The 11. Panzer-Division became encircled by 10 rifle and 2 tank divisions. After four days of bitter defensive fighting along the Teterew river the unit finally fought its way to freedom on the 5th day. Crüwell received the Oakleaves for his battle-deciding leadership.”
34th Award.
Submitted on August 26th 1941.
“On the 10.07.1941 a major Soviet offensive against Berditschew began. The 11. Panzer-Division became encircled by 10 rifle and 2 tank divisions. After four days of bitter defensive fighting along the Teterew river the unit finally fought its way to freedom on the 5th day. Crüwell received the Oakleaves for his battle-deciding leadership.”
34th Award.
Submitted on August 26th 1941.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 2nd, 1942
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Awarded on:
- October 23rd, 1934
Hamburgisches Hanseatenkreuz
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Awarded on:
- September 20th, 1914
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Awarded on:
- September 17th, 1916
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Medaglia d'argento al Valore Militare
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
- Photo: Wilco Vermeer, the Netherlands
- - KUROWSKI, F., Knight's Cross Holders of the Afrikakorps, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, United States, 1996.
- WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 2004.
- Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- Federl, C., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, Germany, 2000
- 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
- Neitzel/Sönke, Abgehört, Deutsche Generäle in britischer Kriegsgefangenschaft 1942-1945, Berlin, Propyläen, 2005
- Axis Biographical Research
- Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
Photo
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