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Ahrens, Wilhelm "Willi" (Grenadier-Regiment 17)

Date of birth:
October 1st, 1912 (Goslar/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
August 26th, 1998 (Gummersbach/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
Unteroffizier
Feldwebel
10.07.1940: Leutnant
Oberleutnant
01.01.1943: Hauptmann
00.00.1945: Major
31.03.1970: Oberstleutnant

Career:
25.08.1939: 9./ Infanterie-Regiment 17
17.06.1940: 11./ Infanterie-Regiment 17
00.00.1940: Führer - 11./ Infanterie-Regiment 17
18.12.1941: Chef - 9./ Infanterie-Regiment 17
22.01.1944: Kommandeur - Stab III./ Grenadier-Regiment 17

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 5th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 28th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
February 1942

Was written in the Ehrenblatt in February 1942 and received the clasp when it was introduced.
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 9. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 17, 31. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
April 14th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 17, 31.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
May 4th, 1944
Wilhelm Ahrens commanded an Infanterie-Bataillon during the oft-forgotten defensive battles of Army Group Centre during the winter of 1943-44. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross for the defensive accomplishments of his Bataillon at the Propoisk-Mogilev road on the 31.03.1944.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo