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Warschnauer, Horst (Pio.Bat. 'Großdeutschland')

    Date of birth:
    December 28th, 1919 (Breslau, Germany)
    Date of death:
    December 26th, 1948 (British POW-Camp Münster, Germany)
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Promotions:
    1939: Offiziersanwärter;
    April 1st, 1940: Leutnant der Reserve;
    April 1st, 1942: Oberleutnant der Reserve;
    May 1st, 1943: Hauptmann;
    1944: Major.

    Career:
    October 1st, 1937: Pionier-Bataillon 42;
    ?: Zugführer Pionier-Bataillon 42;
    October 1939 - januari 1940: Offiziersanwärter-Lehrgang;
    April 1st, 1940: Zugführer Sturm-Pionier-Bataillon 43;
    May 15th, 1942: Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland";
    August 8th, 1942: Chef 2. / Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland";
    April 1944: Bataillonsführerlehrgang;
    ?: Führerreserve OKH;
    June 1st, 1944: Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37;
    October 27th, 1944: Kommandeur Panzerpionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland".

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Unit:
    Zugführer, Pionier-Bataillon 42, Heer
    Awarded on:
    October 3rd, 1939
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
    Unit:
    Zugführer, Sturm-Pionier-Bataillon 43, Heer
    Awarded on:
    July 5th, 1941
    Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
    Unit:
    Chef 2. Kompanie, Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert), Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer
    Awarded on:
    December 12th, 1942
    Awarded for the resounding success of his company in the battles near Rzhev on 22.09.1942. They stormed the eastern part of the town of Chermassovo and then cleared a strong bunker complex at the cemetery-hill beyond. Within 18 minutes his men eliminated over 120 enemy bunkers and pushed the Soviets back further than his original attack objective.
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37, 1. Panzer-Division, Heer
    Awarded on:
    August 17th, 1944
    Wehrmachtbericht

    Marburger Zeitung Nr. 231, 84. Jahrgang, 18.August 1944
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland", Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer
    Awarded on:
    February 24th, 1945
    In a counterattack near Brandenburg (East Prussia) Warschnauer and his pioneer battalion wrested the town of Maulen from Soviet control in close combat. They then moved to capture a commanding hill position, but the attack initially stalled. Warschnauer, standing upright in a single APC, was able to rally his men and with SMGs and grenades in hand they stormed the hill. 170 Soviet dead were counted in the aftermath, and by this action the pioneers enabled friendly forces to retreat west without interference. Warschnauer was subsequently awarded the Knight's Cross.

    753rd Award.
    Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    The number awarded Panzervernichtungsabzeichen is not clear yet. Photos suggest he received them for a total of 6 tanks. He probably wears one golden (for 5 tanks) and one silver (for 1 tank) ones.
    Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber

    Sources

    Photos