Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

September 13th, 1914

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1916

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

July 26th, 1918

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

November 3rd, 1935

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 21st, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 13th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Infanterie-Regiment 347, 197. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 9th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 347, 197. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

February 22nd, 1942

The following wartime excerpt describes why Brehmer was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“… Oberstleutnant Rudolf Brehmer leads a Regiment that is presently engaged in defensive combat following the victorious march to the gates of Moscow. On the 13.01.1942 the Regiment received the mission of holding off the enemy along both sides of the most important local supply road until the evening of the 15.01.1942, in order to enable the Division to occupy its designated winter positions in peace.

After strong forces had been initially thrown back by the Regiment’s rearguard the enemy attacked the combat outposts of the Regiment on the night of the 13./14.01.1942 with two freshly brought-up rifle divisions, and they thrust forward to the resistance line. On the morning of the 14.01.1942 the enemy attacked again with strong forces and broke through to the main point of the position. Oberstleutnant Brehmer personally led his last reserves (an infantry Zug and elements of the regimental staff) forwards in a counterattack and threw the enemy back to their jump-off position in disorder. The foe left behind 6 light machine-guns, 3 heavy machine-guns and 50 dead in the process. On the 15.01.1942 the enemy continued their attacks against the position of the Regiment with new forces that had been brought up by truck.

Oberstleutnant Brehmer personally led the defensive battle of the Regiment from the foremost line, constantly appearing wherever the danger was greatest. The result was that 4 enemy attacks were successfully repulsed.

The enemy once again set out to attack at midday on the 15.01.1942 with strong support from artillery and mortars. Knowing that he could not complete his mission through defense, Oberstleutnant Brehmer resolved to attack.

Assembling all available forces, he thrust into the enemy at the head of his soldiers. The enemy was thrown back while leaving behind 250 dead and abundant weaponry. This success was only possible thanks to the example provided by Oberstleutnant Brehmer. Even though his men had been exhausted by weeks of heavy fighting and the bad weather he nonetheless inspired them to achieve an incredible victory.”

His actions here permitted the VII. and IX. Armee-Korps to occupy the Moshaik position in an orderly fashion.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 4th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 11th, 1942