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Bischoffshausen, von, Lothar (Panzergren.Reg.2)

Date of birth:
February 20th, 1897 (Witzenhausen/Hessen-Nassau, Germany)
Date of death:
July 25th, 1970 (Kassel/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Oberst Lothar William Mordian von Bischoffshausen
Promotions:
September 28th, 1914: Fahnenjunker;
August 18th, 1915: Leutnant mit Pat. 19-12-1915;
April 1st, 1925: Oberleutnant (585);
April 1st, 1933: Rittmeister (80);
October 1st, 1936: Major (117);
January 1st, 1940: Oberstleutnant (29);
March 1st, 1942: Oberst (165).

Career:
September 3rd, 1914: 1. Brandenburgischen Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 2
September 1918: WIA
October 1919: Freiwilligen-Eskadron „von Czettritz", Freikorps „York" - Courland
October 1920: Reiter-Regiment 15
00.00.1926: Fürsorgeoffizier, Stab, Kavallerieschule, Marienburg
00.00.1930: Divisionsadjutant, Elbing
September 1st, 1939: Stab H.Gruppe Nord;
January 20th, 1942: Führer-Reserve OKH;
February 15th, 1942: kdt.z. 23.Pz.Div.;
April 1st, 1942: Kdr. Schtz.Rgt. 2;
March 5th, 1943: Führer-Reserve OKH;
April 1st, 1943: Stab Insp.d.Pz.Tr.;
April 15th, 1944: Führer-Reserve OKH;
June 1st, 1944: Kdr. 4. Kav.Brig.
July 15th, 1944: Führer-Reserve OKH;
December 1st, 1944: Höh.Kav.Offz.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Unteroffizier
Unit:
1. Brandenburgischen Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 2
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
1. Brandenburgischen Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 2
Awarded on:
February 25th, 1918
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 30th, 1918
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
January 26th, 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 19th, 1941
Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 25th, 1941
Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 14th, 1942
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 23rd, 1942
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 13th, 1942

Bronze version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 24th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, 2. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 4th, 1942
Bischoffshausen’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Oberst von Bischoffshausen led a Kampfgruppe of the 2. Panzer-Division in the battle southeast of Rzhev. During the time period 05.-12.08.1942 the much larger enemy forces launched 5 tank-supported and 6 infantry attacks against his sector.

Over the course of a three-day battle (10.-13.08.1942) Oberst von Bischoffshausen succeeded in holding the terrain around Yelnya against overwhelming tank forces while defending all alone with his troops on the left wing of the Division.

He and his depleted unit managed to recapture Yelnya a total of three times via counterthrusts, wherein he personally fought in the foremost line. Thanks to his skillful leadership it was possible to destroy 42 enemy tanks.

Only through this was it possible to prevent the enemy from achieving their intended breakthrough towards Karmanowa, which would have amounted to a decisive battlefield victory for the enemy.

The personal bravery of Oberst von Bischoffshausen was always inspirational for his unit. He was the soul of the defense; he personally led the counterthrusts.

It is requested that Oberst von Bischoffshausen be decorated with the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”

To this was added a comment by the commander of the XXXXVI. Panzer-Korps, General Zorn…

“I warmly endorse the recommendation for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for Oberst von Bischoffshausen.

Kampfgruppe Bischoffshausen bore the brunt of the combat on the left wing of the 2. Pz.Div. The personal bravery and inspiring spirit of Oberst von Bischoffshausen not only ensured that the thin frontline at this position was held. He also led repeated counterthrusts on his own initiative that achieved decisive successes and guaranteed the integrity of the frontline on the Korps’ left wing.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

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