Schulze, Heinrich (Panzer-Abteilung 116)

Date of birth:: March 27th, 1912 (Neuengeseke/Western Phalia, Germany)
Date of death:: March 25th, 1945 (Between Uckerath and Kircheib, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

In service from April 1st 1930.

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Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: July 15th, 1942

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: February 23rd, 1943

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Stabsfeldwebel (Sergeant Major)
Unit:: Zugführer, 2. Kompanie, Panzer-Abteilung 116, 16. Panzergrenadier-Division, 1. Panzer-Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:: August 14th, 1943

On 18.07.1943 Schulze led his Panzer platoon in a daring attack on a key hill held by the Soviets. Despite being wounded in the neck he continued to lead at the point of the assault, where upon reaching the hilltop they flushed the enemy troops out of their bunkers with machine pistols and hand grenades. This enabled the friendly German infantry to move in and seize this position, which was vital for containing the major enemy break-in attempt along the Mius. For this action Schulze would receive the Knight's Cross.

Submitted on August 10th 1943.
Preliminary document on August 19th 1943 to Heeresgruppe Süd.

Sources

Photo 1: Andrew Straube/Wilco Vermeer
Photo: Andrew Straube via Death-Cards.com/Wilco Vermeer
- FEDERL, CH., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2000.
- FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- WENDT, KURT, Wir Für Alle, Hamburg, 1996.
- Death Card