Remer, Otto-Ernst

Date of birth:: August 18th, 1912 (Neubrandenburg/Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany)
Date of death:: October 4th, 1997 (Malaga/Andalucia, Spain)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Otto-Ernst Remer played a major part in the suppression of the uprising by the conspirators to assassinate Hitler and take over the German government. Remer was a key member in command of reserve troops in Berlin. He was instructed by the conspirators that he should arrest key government people starting with Dr. Josef Goebbels. When he showed up to arrest Goebbels, he was told that Hitler was not dead. Goebbels placed a telephone call to Hitler's headquarters in Rastenburg and Hitler convinced Remer that he was alive. From then on he assisted in arresting all of the conspirators in Berlin and had Stauffenburg and several others shot in the courtyard of the Army headquarters in the Bendlerstrasse.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: May 20th, 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: June 12th, 1940

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: IV. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland, Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:: August 29th, 1942

Award 172/32.

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment (motorisiert) Großdeutschland, Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:: May 18th, 1943

Awarded for his skillful leadership of the I./Grenadier-Regiment (mot) “GD” during an intense 14 days of combat north of Kharkov in the first half of 1943. During this time the Bataillon served many days as a rearguard for the Division, and with Remer at its head many Soviet advances were held off via counterattacks.

1812th Award.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment (motorisiert) Großdeutschland, Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:: November 12th, 1943

The following report from Führer headquarters describes why Remer received the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross…

“Major Otto-Ernst Remer, Bataillon commander in the Grenadier-Regiment “Großdeutschland”, is now the 325th soldier of the German Wehrmacht to receive the Oakleaves. Just half a year ago - on the 18.05.1943 - he was already decorated with the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for his actions during the defensive battles northeast and north of Kharkov.

Major Remer has also proven himself as an especially dashing Bataillon commander in the heavy fighting during the summer and fall of 1943, making the most of every advantage through his skill and ruthlessness. During a thrust into enemy assembly areas north of Belgorod, Remer’s Bataillon formed a small bridgehead. Employed in a defensive role the following day, he and his men defended against the attacks of enemy infantry and tanks without any support. The positions of his I. Bataillon were overrun three times by enemy tanks, but every time the Grenadiers were able to repel the following enemy infantry in close combat with the Bataillon commander always at the front.

At the end of August Remer’s Bataillon was employed in an attack against some high ground that had been occupied by the enemy west of Kharkov. The first hill was captured, but then the Soviets appeared in the rear of the Grenadiers. In the middle of strong enemy artillery fire, Major Remer rushed from one SPW to the next to order their next moves. Himself riding in the foremost SPW, he then led his men forwards into the attack. Due to his radio have been knocked out, he risked standing up in his vehicle in order to direct the attack despite the hail of bullets all around him.”

325th Award.