Date of birth:

March 11th, 1918 (Koblenz/Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)

Date of death:

July 5th, 1999 (Eching am Ammersee/Bavaria, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Promotions:
1936: Fahnenjunker;
April 1942: Oberleutnant;
August 1st, 1942: Rittmeister (RDA: -7a-);
November 9th, 1944: Major (RDA:: -48-).

Career:
1936: Kradschützen-Bataillon 1;
1937: Kriegsschule München;
December 1940: Führer-Begleut-Bataillon;
September 1st, 1939: Zugführer, Kradschützen-Bataillon 1;
September 7th, 1939: Lazarett;
October 2nd, 1939: Zugführer, Schützen-Ersatz-Bataillon 1;
November 2nd, 1939: Zugführer, Kradschützen-Bataillon 1;
May 2nd, 1940: Personliches 00, Generaloberst Guderian;
June 2nd, 1940: Zugführer, Kradschützen-Bataillon 1;
June 11th, 1940: 00 /Stellvertretender Adjutant, Kradschützen-Bataillon 1;
December 1st, 1940: Zugführer, Führer-Begleit-Bataillon;;
July 2nd, 1941: Lazarett;
February 16th, 1942: Führer Marscheinheit KEB 4;
April 1st, 1942: Chef, 2. Kompanie, Kradschützen-Bataillon. "GD";
August 16th, 1942: Ia, Panzergrenadier-Division "GD";
February 2nd, 1943: Schwadronchef, Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung "GD";
September 2nd, 1943: Führer, Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung "GD";
October 16th, 1943: Stellvertretender Kommandeur Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung "GD";
January 16th, 1944: Ia, Panzergrenadier-Ersatz-Brigade "GD";
May 11th, 1944: Stab, 12. Infanterie-Division;
June 26th, 1944: Kriegsakademie, Hirschberg;
January 1945: Generalstab Panzerkorps "GD";
February 1st, 1945: Ib, Panzergrenadier-Division "Brandenburg".

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 13th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 28th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 26th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland", Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) "Großdeutschland", Heer

Awarded on:

May 26th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Rittmeister

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland", Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer

Awarded on:

July 28th, 1943

Spaeter's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows...

"On the 10.07.1943 Rittmeister Spaeter received the order to advance to the heights east of the Kubassowski gorge with his SPW Schwadron in order to shield the flank of the heavily engaged Panzer-Brigade of the Division. After reaching the heights he realized that strong enemy tank and anti-tank gun fire, as well as potential new enemy counterattacks from the road to the north, posed a serious danger to the advance of the Panzer brigade. He immediately made the independent decision to eliminate this danger by pushing through to secure the road. In spite of the heavy flanking fire from enemy tanks and anti-tank guns from the north, he succeeded in reaching the ravine to the front of his Schwadron, cleared out the bitter enemy resistance present there and advanced towards the road.

Under heavy enemy defensive fire, as well as several attempted enemy counterattacks, he nevertheless managed to repeatedly disrupt enemy traffic along the road until the arrival of the remainder of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung. Throughout this time he was able to galvanize his troops through his exemplary courage and fearless attitude. By the end of this engagement several enemy columns had been wiped out, numerous prisoners were captured and 6 enemy tanks ended up being destroyed.

Through this decisive act, a result of his correct appraisal of the situation and reckless application of his person, a strong enemy flanking maneuver against the attacking Panzer-Brigade (located near Hill 258.5) was prevented. This made possible the further advance of the Brigade, as well as the creation of preconditions for the continued northward attack of the entire Korps.

I consider Rittmeister Spaeter worthy of both the high honour of the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross as well as an increase in his rank."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 9th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo: Mirek Herold
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - TEGETHOFF, RALPH, Die Ritterkreuzträger des Panzerkorps Großdeutschland und seiner Schwesterverbände, DS- Vlg. o.J., Riesa, 1998.
  - Beurteilung Major
  - Personalkarte
  - Helmut Spaeter: Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland Podzun-Pallas 1988
  - Ralph Tegethoff: Die RK-Träger des Panzerkorps Großdeutschland