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Tschierschwitz, Gerhard (Fallschirm-Pz-Reg. 'HG')

    Date of birth:
    April 23rd, 1920 (Berlin, Schöneburg, Brandenburg, Germany)
    Date of death:
    January 17th, 1997 (Tutzing)
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Gerhard Tschierschwitz became a Soviet prisoner of war on 3rd June 1945. In April 1950 his death penalty was changed in 25 years hard labour. He was convicted beceause as a member of IV. / 16.Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) / XXXXVIII.Panzerkorps "Hermann Göring", he was held responseble for warcromes committed by this corps. He was released on 8th October 1953.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Rekrut
    Unit:
    15. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    August 17th, 1939
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wachtmeister
    Unit:
    15. Schwadron, RGG
    Awarded on:
    July 8th, 1941
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wachtmeister
    Unit:
    15. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    August 31st, 1941
    (Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wachtmeister
    Unit:
    15. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    October 29th, 1941
    Flakkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    16. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    July 22nd, 1943
    Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    16. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    October 4th, 1943
    Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    16. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    October 1943
    Panzerkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe ohne Zahl
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    16. / RGG
    Awarded on:
    January 14th, 1944
    Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe ohne zahlen
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Chef, 2. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment 'Hermann Göring'
    Awarded on:
    December 6th, 1944
    During the battles in East Prussia during October 1944 Tschierschwitz commanded a company of Panthers in the Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring. At one point in the fighting he led his company in a flanking maneuver and captured the village of Wirballen. He then began a rampage behind Russian lines without any infantry support, eventually establishing contact with a friendly infantry division. By the end he and his company had destroyed 16 tanks, 16 anti-tank guns, 6 artillery pieces and 13 machine guns, in addition to killing approximately 300 Soviet soldiers. For these actions he was later awarded the Knight's Cross.

    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment "Hermann Göring"
    Awarded on:
    April 20th, 1945

    Sources

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