Bodendörfer, Kurt
- Date of birth:
- March 31st, 1914 (Lohr/Bavaria, Germany)
- Date of death:
- December 7th, 1991 (Würzburg/Bavaria, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Promotions:
April 1st, 1937: Leutnant;
September 1st, 1939: Oberleutnant;
April 1st, 1942: Hauptmann;
March 1st, 1943: Major.
Career:
April 1st, 1935: Reichsheer;
December 1941: Chef, 4./ Infanterie-Regiment 97
August 1942: Kdr, I./ Infanterie-Regiment 97
January 2nd, 1944 - March 1st, 1944: Bataillonskommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 215;
December 1944: Kdr, Stab/ Grenadier-Regiment 689
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Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- April 1st, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 31st, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- August 18th, 1940
Ordinul Steaua Romaniei Knight
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- August 20th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
- Unit:
- 4. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 97, 46. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- December 1st, 1941
According to a "Beurteilung" the DKiG was awarded on December 3rd, 1941.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann (Captain)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 97, 46. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- November 8th, 1942
1400th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- August 12th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- July 19th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- November 8th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major
- Unit:
- Führer, Grenadier-Regiment 689, 246. Volksgrenadier-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- February 14th, 1945
“The name Bodendörfer is connected with the difficult yet successful defensive battles of our Division during the Third and Fourth Battles of Aachen. In this time his Regiment had the mission of defending the Schophoven-Pier bridgehead (about 5 km south of Jülich) and thereby hold open the Roer crossings.
Starting on the 07.12.1944 the enemy repeatedly assailed the positions of the Regiment with strong support from both tanks and artillery, and the Regiment in turn defended itself with great bitterness under the energetic leadership of its commander.
On the 10.12.1944 the enemy’s numerical superiority finally produced a result, and they managed to enter into Pier with tanks by attacking from 2 sides. Prior to this Hill 103.1 had also fallen into enemy hands, and from here it was possible to dominate both the rear area and the Roer crossings. This created a danger that the enemy would bypass our defenses and capture the Roer bridges from the north while also encircling Pier.
In this critical situation Oberstleutnant Bodendörfer gathered up all the soldiers he could find and launched a bold counterthrust against the superior enemy. Following tough close combat he managed to clear Pier of the enemy, and the important Hill 103.1 was also captured while pursuing the fleeing enemy. During this time 4 tanks were destroyed in close combat. Oberstleutnant Bodendörfer thus restored an extremely critical situation through his bold initiative and highest personal dedication. The situation would have otherwise led to the cutting off of his Regiment and the loss of the Roer bridges.
The enemy was prevented from accomplishing their aim due to the bravery and steadfastness of Oberstleutnant Bodendörfer and his Grenadiers.
This exemplary and decisive deed has found its recognition through the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann (Captain)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 97, 46. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- August 14th, 1942
1162nd Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- February 6th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- August 15th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 5th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1:
- - DÖRR, M., Die Inhaber der Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres 1941-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1993.
- 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.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1992.
- Axis History Forum via Awardholders / unit
- NARA Roll T-78 R900
- Beurteilung
Photo
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