Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 24th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 7th, 1941

Bronze Version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Btl.Kdr., Infanterie-Regiment "Großdeutschland" 1, Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) "Großdeutschland", Heer

Awarded on:

October 5th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland", Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer

Awarded on:

February 17th, 1945

Heesemann’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 28.01.1945 the Russians managed to penetrate at the seam between I. Bataillon and a security line (primarily composed of green replacement troops) in the rough terrain of the Passenheim line, near Försterei Graskau. They then fed in follow-up forces, about 5 battalions altogether, into the Graskau forest. The Panzergrenadier-Regiment ‘Großdeutschland’ could spare no reserves for a counterthrust, as parts of the Regiment had been stranded due to a fuel shortage.

All communication links had been cut.

In this critical moment Oberst Heesemann rushed to the northern edge of the Graskau forest with a Jagdkommando of 15 men and 2 Flak guns. There he created a security line, and with this Kampfgruppe he defeated three fierce attacks of the enemy. After repelling the last enemy attack he stormed forwards in a counterthrust, in the face of fierce enemy defensive fire, with the handful of still available soldiers from his Jagdkommando and regimental staff. At the head of this Kampfgruppe he stormed into the enemy while shouting ‘Hurra’. In a bitter 4 hour forest battle Oberst Heesemann succeeded in bringing bloody losses to the enemy, reached the old defensive line by dusk (much sooner than anticipated), and managed to repel 4 company-strength enemy counterattacks during this time. In this hard fighting, which pitted man against man, the enemy lost 300 counted dead, 10 5-cm Pak, 2 infantry guns, 6 heavy mortars and 30 vehicles.

Oberst Heesemann has thereby particularly distinguished himself through his contagious attacking spirit and remarkable personal bravery. With only 25 soldiers of his regimental staff and Jagdkommando, he succeeded in repulsing the enemy breakthrough attempt and restoring the old main battle line. In doing so he ensured the security of the Passenheim line for the subsequent days. Oberst Heesemann fell in battle on the 06.02.1945 during an attack on Waldpothen, leading at the head of the Panzergrenadier-Regiment ‘Großdeutschland’.”

Awarded posthumously.