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Zipfel, Kuno (Jäger-Regiment 56)

Date of birth:
October 23rd, 1919 (Schluchsee)
Date of death:
January 17th, 1945 (Badkowo, Poland)
Buried on:
Polish War Cemetery Pulawy
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

17.01.1945: Oberfeldwebel, KIA at Badkowo near Pultusk, South East Prussia

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, Jäger-Regiment 56, 5. Jäger-Division
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1944
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 23.10.1944) describes why Zipfel received the Knight’s Cross…

“Feldwebel Kuno Zipfel… has been awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross by the Führer. Feldwebel Zipfel and his Zug (part of a Ulmer Jäger-Regiment) had repeatedly repulsed the onslaught of overwhelming enemy forces that assaulted friendly positions in the aftermath of a massive artillery barrage. As his unit was still engaged in a bitter firefight he suddenly noticed that the Bolsheviks had broken through the sector of the right neighbouring unit. They had taken an important hill, and were threatening the rear of his Bataillon with large numbers of soldiers. Having recognized this danger, Zipfel decided to take a squad of his hard-pressed Zug out of the line and use it to launch a flanking thrust. The enemy was thrown back, and he was able to hold his position successfully until being given the order to withdraw.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • Photo 1:
  • Photo 2:
  • - Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
    - Reinicke, A., Die 5. Jäger-Division – Polen, Westfeldzug 1940, Rußland, Das Ende an der Oderfront, Nebel Verlag GmbH, Eggolsheim, Deutschland, 2003
    - Der Führer: Das Hauptorgan der NSDAP Gau Baden (Edition 283)

Photos