Date of birth:

April 24th, 1919 (Braunschweig/Braunschweig, Germany)

Date of death:

January 26th, 1993 (Bonn/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Major Axel Ernst-August Clamor Franz Albrecht Erich Leo Freiherr von dem Bussche-Streithorst
Promotions:
01.05.1938: Gefreiter
04.04.1939: Fähnrich
01.08.1938: Unteroffizier
01.08.1939: Oberfähnrich
01.08.1939: Leutnant
15.09.1941: Oberleutnant - RDA 01.10.1941
10.07.1943: Hauptmann - RDA 01.06.1943
20.08.1944: Major - RDA 01.06.1944

Career:
00.00.1937: Offizieranwärter, Infanterie-Regiment 9, „Regiment Graf Neun", 23. Infanterie-Division, Potsdam
00.00.1938-00.00.1939: Kriegsschule in Hannover
00.09.1939: Leutnant, Infanterie-Regiment 9, 23. Infanterie-Division - campaign in Poland
00.05.1940: Leutnant, Infanterie-Regiment 9, 23. Infanterie-Division - campaign in France
00.06.1941: Oberleutnant, Infanterie-Regiment 9, 23. Infanterie-Division - campaign in Russia
00.10.1943: Hauptmann, Bataillonskommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 9
00.10.1943: joined an ad hoc resistance group within Army Group Centre later to be led by Count Claus von Stauffenberg and volunteered for a suicide assassination attempt on Hitler while modeling uniforms
30.01.1944: severely WIA evacuated to SS-Lazarett Hohenlychen and one leg amputated

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

October 28th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

May 21st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

September 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

September 23rd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 11. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 9, 23. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Btl.Fhr., II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 9, 23. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

January 25th, 1944

for his leadership during the fightings inj Spasskaja Polist from 5th September to 9th September 1943

2779th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Awarded on:

February 1944

WIA 30.01.1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 9, 23. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

March 7th, 1944

The following divisional order of the day excerpt describes why Bussche was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 07.03.1944 the Führer awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to the commander of the I./Gren.Rgt. 9, Hauptmann Freiherr von dem Bussche-Streithorst.

On the 29.01.1944 Hauptmann von dem Bussche-Streithorst found himself at the main dressing station with a strong case of Volhynian fever. Here he received word that a major attack was being launched against his Bataillon. He did not hesitate to rush to his Bataillon in its hour of need. After arriving at his unit he organized the defense and, on his own initiative, recaptured a vital hill position that had been previously lost. He then held it over the next 2 days even though the Russians had broken through on either side. During this combat he was heavily wounded for the sixth time.

It was his confidence and firm belief in the superiority of the German soldier that proved to be the backbone of his Bataillon. For their part his men trusted him utterly and honoured him above anyone else.

The thoughts of the Division shall accompany this exemplary officer and troop leader in the near future, and we all wish him a swift and speedy recovery.

I congratulate Hauptmann von dem Bussche-Streithorst on receiving this award from the bottom of my heart.”

Awarded on:

1972

• Photo 1: Norbert Beyerlein
• - 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, 1993.
  - Axis History Forum via Awardholders / unit