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Dixius, Karl

Date of birth:
April 22nd, 1914 (Merzig an der Saar/Rhine Province, Germany)
Date of death:
May 28th, 1962 (Starnberg/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

During the Second World War, Karl Dixius reached the rank of Major. After the war he served with the Bundeswehr, reaching the rank of Oberstleutnant.

Promotions:
September 1st, 1943: Hauptmann (185a).

Career:
December 6th, 1944: Zuletzt Kdr. II./Jg.Rgt. 229, infolge Verwundung zum Ers.Tr.Teil versetzt.;
December 12th, 1944: 101.Jg.Div. als Btl.Fhr.;
February 4th, 1945: steht z.Rgts.Fhr.heran u.kann f.19 Adj.Lehrg. nicht freigegeben werden;
February 10th, 1945: Führer-Reserve.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
4. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 229, 101. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 21st, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 219, 101. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 219, 101. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 26th, 1944
The following wartime report describes why Dixius would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“A Baden-Württemberg Jäger-Division found itself on the eastern side of the enemy-occupied city of Lemberg. In order to extricate itself from this situation the Division was split into two Kampfgruppen, both of which were to thrust past the city to the north and south respectively. Despite a heroic fight the southern Kampfgruppe was soon encircled, resulting in the Kampfgruppe commander again dividing his forces in order to have a better chance of escaping the Soviet trap.

One of these Kampfgruppen was led by Hauptmann Dixius, from Merzig. In the first assault the attacking Jäger were able to put the desperately defending Soviets to flight. However two villages in the path of its breakout route were not in German hands as had been erroneously assumed, but were instead heavily occupied by the enemy. The immediately deployed reconnaissance reported that it would only be possible to move the heavy vehicles across the otherwise marshy stream at the more westerly village. Hauptmann Dixius thus swiftly resolved to advance past the first enemy occupied village and enter into the second village, which was achieved after hard fighting. This village fell into German hands after a fierce round of urban combat, during which Hauptmann Dixius was a model for his men in the resultant close combat.

Bearing in mind his overall mission, the brave Hauptmann then exploited his initial success and fought through the defensive line that the Soviets had set up for the night in a fierce melee. In doing so he opened a gap in their defenses that the majority of the German Kampfgruppen were able to pass through during the night, and these elements soon reached German lines. The Führer awarded him the Knight’s Cross for his bravery.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 15th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Sources

Photo