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Schulz-Merkel, Dr.med., Hans-Joachim

Date of birth:
April 6th, 1913 (Oppeln/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
September 2nd, 2000 (Marktoberdorf/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Stabsarzt
Unit:
I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 35, 4. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 21st, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Stabsarzt
Unit:
Abteilungsarzt, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 35, 4. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 23rd, 1943
On the 19.11.1943 the commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 35 fell out due to illness, and upon his request Dr. Schulz-Merkel took over Abteilung. Schulz-Merkel would lead the Abteilung through the battle of Karowotitschi, where it destroyed 15 (possibly 22) Soviet tanks. Shortly afterwards it broke a Soviet encirclement ring and thereby allowed the trapped German division inside to escape. Schulz-Merkel was thus recognized for achieving a feat that was very out of proportion to the normal scope of his duties.

According to Fellgiebel was awarded as Truppenarzt.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 23rd, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 24th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 4th, 1940
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 28th, 1944

Silver version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen II Stufe

Sources

Photo