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Wohlgemuth, Karl

Date of birth:
September 15th, 1917 (Vienna/Lower-Austria, Austria)
Date of death:
August 29th, 1983 (Salzburg/Salzburg, Austria)
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
2. / Radfahr-Schwadron D.A.A. 1
Awarded on:
February 14th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rittmeister
Unit:
Kommandeur Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 1
Awarded on:
February 27th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur Division-Füsilier-Bataillon (AA) 1 / 1.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
September 30th, 1944
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 26.10.1944) describes why Wohlgemuth received the Knight’s Cross…

“… During this past summer the enemy launched a general attack against the Reich, and friendly forces were compelled to retreat. In this time the Major [Wohlgemuth] led his own weak forces forward against the strong vanguards of Soviet divisions. They resisted the enemy’s massive firepower and determined attacks, and were able to successfully hold a bridge until our last detachments in the area were able to escape the enemy’s grasp. Although hostile mortars, artillery and aircraft hammered the German bridgehead with unparalleled intensity, the defending rearguard was inspired to resist by a single, simple determination: We stand here for our comrades, so that they may not fall into Soviet hands!”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
    - 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
    - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
    - Ehrenblatt des Deutschen Heeres, 27.Februar 1944
    - Völkischer Beobachter (Wiener Ausgabe; Edition 294)

Photo