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Adolff, Heinz-Paul (Fallsch.-Pionier-Bataillon 1)

Date of birth:
June 29th, 1914 (Backnang/Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:
July 17th, 1943 (Raitano/Sicily, Italy)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Motta San Anastasia
Plot: 4. Row: 6. Grave: 1-27.
Nationality:
German

Biography

Heinz-Paul Adolff was mortally wounded on July 17th, 1943 when he tried to destroy the Primasole Bridge over the river Simeto. He was posthumously promoted to Major der Reserve.

Promotions:
May 1st, 1939: Leutnant der Reserve;
July 2nd, 1941: Oberleutnant der Reserve (RDA July 1st, 1942 - 256/c);
January 25th, 1943: Hauptmann der Reserve (RDA January 1st, 1943 - 437/c);
November 18th, 1943: Major der Reserve (RDA July 1st, 1943 - 612/c).

Career:
October 28th, 1935 - September 30th, 1937: 3. Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 17, Würzburg;
August 22nd, 1938 - September 19th, 1938: Wehrübung;
March 18th, 1940: Vorausabteilung (motorisiert), Oberbaustab 5;
June 21st, 1940: Fallschirmschützen-Lehrgang, Fallschirmschule Wittstock;
July 27th, 1940: Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 7;
October 31st, 1942: Führer 1. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 7;
July 2nd, 1941: Chef 1. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 7;
January 25th, 1943: Führer Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 1.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Vorausabteilung (motorisiert), Oberbaustab 5, Heeresgruppe C, Heer
Awarded on:
June 2nd, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Vorausabteilung (motorisiert), Oberbaustab 5, Heeresgruppe C, Heer
Awarded on:
June 27th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 19th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 1, 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 26th, 1944
Awarded for his actions at the Primosole bridge. In this battle he and his men managed to successfully deny the Allies the crossing over the river for some time, however in the process Adolff himself would be killed during an unsuccessful attempt to blow the bridge.

Awarded posthumously.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo