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Rappholz, Walter

Date of birth:
June 4th, 1912 (Olvenstedt/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
September 30th, 1991 (Magdeburg/Saxony-Anhalt, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl) 616, Heer
Awarded on:
May 5th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
Zugführer, Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl) 616, Heer
Awarded on:
November 3rd, 1944
At the beginning of 1944 Oberfeldwebel Rappholz was forced to defend against a heavy Soviet tank assault with only 90 men during the fighting for the Dukla Pass west of Sanok. Despite the odds, Rappholz was able to employ his Marder II tank destroyer to good effect, knocking out 16 enemy tanks and covering the retreat of the Division he’d been attached to. In recognition of this tactical victory he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 30th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Awarded on:
November 15th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 21st, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 9th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 17th, 1942
Medaille

Sources

Photo