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Trettner, Heinrich "Heinz"

Date of birth:
September 19th, 1907 (Minden/Westphalia, Germany)
Date of death:
September 18th, 2006 (Mönchengladbach/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Was taken prisoner on May 3rd 1945 at St Christofero, Italy. POW number B33415.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Colonel)
Awarded on:
September 30th, 1938
Cruz de Guerra Cross
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1938
Medalla de la Campaña de España 1936-1939
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Spanienkreuz, Gold mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major im Generalstab
Unit:
Ia, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
May 12th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major im Generalstab (Major in General Staff)
Unit:
Ia, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
May 12th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major im Generalstab (Major in General Staff)
Unit:
Ia, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
May 24th, 1940
Awarded for the role he played in planning the successful German airborne assault on Holland in 1940.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 3rd, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur 4. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Awarded on:
June 28th, 1944
During the heavy defensive battles of Lake Trasimeno, the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, led by Lieutenant General Fries, the 4th Airborne Division, led by Colonel Trettner and the 356th Infantry Division, led by Lieutenant General Faulenbach, superbly supported by artillery and antiaircraft artillery, again and again blocked all break through attempts of superior enemy forces and inflicted particularly high losses to the enemy in close combat.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur 4. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Awarded on:
September 17th, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for the successful command of his division during the Italian campaign, and in particular for...

1) The Division's performance during the battle of Anzio.

2) The fierce resistance of his troops at the Futa Pass during the battle for the Gothic line, which delayed the US advance by several weeks and permitted the building of a new German defensive line south of Bologna.

586th Award.
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Awarded on:
May 18th, 1964
Knight/Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (K(D)CVO)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1964
Legion of Merit - Commander (LoM - C)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 8th, 1965
Grande Ufficiale della Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Awarded on:
January 18th, 1967
Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband des Verdienstordens der BRD
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 31st, 1969
Grand Officier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur

Sources

Photo