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Diestel, Erich (Generalleutnant)

Date of birth:
November 8th, 1892 (Deutsch Eylau/Westprussia, Germany)
Date of death:
August 3rd, 1973 (Bad Wiessee/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
09.04.1912: Fähnrich
18.08.1913: Leutnant
01.05.1922: Oberleutnant
01.05.1927: Hauptmann
01.10.1934: Major
01.04.1937: Oberstleutnant
01.06.1940: Oberst
01.08.1942: Generalmajor
01.08.1943: Generalleutnant

Career:
1912: Armee;
1933 - 1935: Lehrer Infanterieschule Dresden;
1935 - 1937: Lehrer Kriegsschule Dresden;
October 12th, 1937 - January 14th, 1940: Kommandeur I. / Infanterie-Regiment 68;
January 15th, 1940 - April 15th, 1942: Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 188;
April 15th, 1942 - August 31st, 1942: Kommandeur 101. Jäger-Division;
September 20th, 1942 - October 16th, 1944: Kommandeur 346. Infanterie-Division;
November 18th, 1944 - March 23rd, 1945: Kommandeur Divisionsstab z.b.V. 331;
March 23rd, 1945 - 9 april 1945: Kommandeur Korps Diestel, 25. Armee "Festung Holland";
April 10th, 1945 - May 1945: Beauftragt mit der Führung der Armeeabteilung Kleffel ( 25.Armee "Festung Holland")
May 1945 - 1947: POW.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 7th, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
February 19th, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 12th, 1918
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Awarded on:
1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 31st, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 188, 68. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
January 2nd, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 11th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kdr, 346. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1944
"The 346th Infantry Division unter the command of Generalleutnant Diestel has fought outstandingly in the battles in Flanders."
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 346. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 8th, 1944
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Awarded for the outstanding leadership of his Division during the fighting on the western front. This was also recognized through the mentioning of him and his unit in the Wehrmachtbericht of the 10.09.1944, which praised the Division’s achievements during the fighting in Flanders.

Sources

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