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Brockdorff, Baron von, Cay-Lorenz

Date of birth:
August 25th, 1923 (Berlin-Charlottenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
September 11th, 1997 (Coburg/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

In service from October 25th 1940.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:
4./Panzer-Regiment 15/11. Panzer Division
Awarded on:
September 11th, 1941

Silver version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 24, 24. Panzer Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 18th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 24, 24. Panzer Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 28th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Second-lieutenant)
Unit:
6./Panzer-Regiment 15/11. Panzer Division “Gespenster-Division”
Awarded on:
February 20th, 1943
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Second-lieutenant)
Unit:
II./Panzer-Regiment 15/11. Panzer Division “Gespenster-Division”
Awarded on:
March 18th, 1943
Received for his wounds inflicted on August 20th 1942, August 25th 1942 and March 9th 1943.
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Second-lieutenant)
Unit:
5./Panzer-Regiment 15/11. Panzer Division “Gespenster-Division”
Awarded on:
July 31st, 1943
Received for his on July 17th 1943 received fifth wound.
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Regimentsadjutant Stab Panzer-Regiment 15 / 11.Panzer-Division “Gespenster-Division” / 15.Armee / Heeresgruppe G
Awarded on:
April 14th, 1945
The following wartime excerpt describes why Brockdorff was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“At another location on the western from the enemy entered into the village of Kalenborn, which contained the command post of a Panzer-Regiment. At this time the regimental commander was with his soldiers in another important sector. But in the meantime the North Americans had enveloped our blocking front near Obererl, placing them in the rear of our armoured groups and cutting off contact to our Grenadiers.

Acting swiftly, the regimental adjutant Oberleutnant Baron Cay-Lorenz von Brockdorff (hailing from Berlin) took over the leadership of the units in his sector. He assembled a weak Zug from the Panzergrenadier-Regiment and attacked the enemy-occupied Minderberg from the north.

Despite the heavy enemy artillery fire he continued to lead his men through the densely forested terrain. A large number of his Panzergrenadiers were nonetheless pinned down in the strong hostile fire. He eventually stormed the Minderberg with only a few soldiers and went on to hold it for an hour against much larger enemy forces in the thick undergrowth until reinforcements arrived and relieved him. Thanks to the prudent intervention of the Oberleutnant it was possible to restore contact with our armoured group. The North Americans took such heavy losses in this engagement that they broke off any further breakthrough attempts.”

Subitted on April 4th 1945.
Preliminary document and decoration on April 19th 1945 to Heeresgruppe G.
Bescheinigung dated May 3rd 1945.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo