Date of birth:

July 6th, 1897 (Berlin/Prussia, Germany)

Date of death:

April 26th, 1994 (Constance/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Promotions:
August 11th, 1914: Offiziersanwärter;
December 4th, 1914: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier;
March 30th, 1915: Fähnrich;
December 15th, 1915: Leutnant (Patent May 21st, 1916, RDA September 1st, 1915);
July 31st, 1925: Oberleutnant (RDA April 1st, 1925);
April 1st, 1931: Rittmeister;
March 1st, 1936: Major;
April 1st, 1939: Oberstleutnant;
December 17th, 1941: Oberst (RDA December 1st, 1940);
June 1st, 1943: Generalmajor;
May 20th, 1944: Generalleutnant;
December 1st, 1944: General der Panzertruppe.

Career:
August 11th, 1914: 2. Garde-Ulanen-Regiment, Berlin;
February 1916 - March 1916: Maschinengewehr-Lehrgang;
?: Chef MG-Zug, 2. Garde-Ulanen-Regiment;
January 14th, 1917: Infanterie-Ersatz-Regimet Nr. 59;
January 1919 - March 1919: 2. Garde-Ulanen-Regiment;
?: Freikorps Hülsen;
1920: 4. (Preußisches) Reiter-Regiment, Potsdam;
October 1st, 1926: Ausbildungsoffizier Kavallerieschule, Hannover;
April 1st, 1929: Stab, 2. (Preußisches) Reiter-Regiment, Osterode;
October 11th, 1931: Chef, 4. Schwadron, 4. Reiter-Regiment, Perleberg;
October 1st, 1934: Schwadornchef, Reiter-Regiment, Potsdam;
May 15th, 1935: Stab Kavallerie-Kommando, Potsdam;
October 15th, 1935: Adjutant, 4. Reiter-Brigade, Potsdam;
April 1st, 1936: Höheren Kavallerie-Offizier 4;
October 12th, 1937: Höheren Kavallerie-Offizier 2;
July 29th, 1938: Führer II. / Kavallerie-Regiment 6;
November 10th, 1938: Kommandeur Radfahr-Abteilung 1, Tilsit;
October 1st, 1941: Kommandeur Reiter-Regiment 22;
January 1942: Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 26;
October 1942: Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26;
November 7th, 1942: Mit den Führung beauftragt 20. Panzergrenadier-Brigade;
November 1942 - March 1st, 1943: Führerreserve;
January 1943 - February 1943: Divisions-Führerlehrgang, Döberitz;
March 1st, 1943: Führer 24. Panzer-Division;
June 1st, 1943: Kommandeur 24. Panzer-Division;
August 1st, 1944: Führerreserve;
August 20th, 1944: mit der Führung beauftragt XXIV. Panzerkorps;
September 22nd, 1944; mit der Führung beauftragt XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps;
December 1st, 1944: Kommandierender General XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps;
May 3rd, 1945: Verhandlungsführer 12. Armee;
May 7th, 1945 - March 31st, 1947: American POW.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 19th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on November 27th 1915.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 14th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on October 26th 1918.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Radfahr-Abteilung 1, 1. Kavallerie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1941

At the start of Operation Barbarossa Oberstleutnant Edelsheim commanded the Vorausabteilung of the 1. Kavallerie-Division. Its initial orders were to march through Hwoznice, Maloriyta, Mekrany and Dywin. Along the way it was to capture important bridges and break through any enemy forces encountered. Despite the tough Soviet resistance that often outnumbered the Vorausabteilung itself, Edelsheim and his men were able to fight their way through the Soviet forces and clear the way for the rest of the Division. The Division was ultimately able to reach the area south of Sluck as ordered and fulfill its mission of providing flank protection for the XXIV. Armee-Korps. Oberstleutnant Edelsheim would subsequently be awarded the Knight’s Cross for the invaluable service he rendered in this capacity.

398th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26, 24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 23rd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalmajor (Brigadier)

Unit:

24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 28th, 1944

Mentioning:
"In the since the end of July ongoing battle at the San and Wiechsel has the already multiple times successful ostpreußische 24. Panzerdivision, led by Generalleutnant Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim, again shown outstanding fortitude in attack and defense."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Awarded on:

October 17th, 1944

Mentioning:
"In the successful defense, which has lasted 5 weeks now, of hostile attacks in the Bieszczady, the brave units of the 24. Panzerkorps under the command of Generalleutnant von Le Suire and Generalleutnant Freiherr von Edelsheim have played a decisive role."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 23rd, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
  - Lexikon der Wehrmacht