Date of birth:

February 17th, 1920 (Heidau-Ohlau/Silesia, Germany)

Date of death:

August 31st, 1944 (Pukes , Mitau (Jelgava), Latvia)

Buried on:

German War Cemetery Frauenburg / Saldus
Grave: UNK.

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

01.10.1940: Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 5
00.02.1941: Infanterie-Regiment 51
00.07.1941: Russia
00.01.1943: 6. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33
00.07.1943: Kursk
00.08.1943: Obergefreiter, Gruppenführer, disitinguished himself by Ssewesk
00.08.1944: defensive fightings in Latvia, distinguished himself by Mitau
31.08.1944: Unteroffizier, KIA in Pukes ivo Mitau

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

in bronze

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, 6. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33, 4. Panzer-Division, XXXXVI. Panzer-Korps, 9. Armee, Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

September 16th, 1943

During the fighting for the Orel salient in mid-1943, on the 22.07.1943, the Panzergrenadiers of the 4. Panzer-Division found themselves being pushed back to the east by Soviet forces that were trying to encircle them. A particularly critical situation developed on the far right wing of the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33. On his own initiative, Obergefreiter Kunert began appropriate countermeasures. With only a few soldiers from his squad he managed to retake the old German position and thereby greatly assist the German efforts in this battle. For his decisiveness and bravery here he would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

2128th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, 6. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33, 4. Panzer-Division, XXXIX. Panzer-Korps, 3. Panzerarmee, Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

October 4th, 1944

The following newspaper article (dated 16.10.1944) describes why Kunert received the Oakleaves…

“The Oakleaves After a Hero’s Death:

… During an attack southwest of Mitau, Unteroffizier Kunert was able to sustain the offensive drive of his entire Bataillon by launching a bold assault of his own at the head of his squad. When the German advance temporarily stalled in the face of a powerful enemy defense, Kunert eliminated a hostile MG crew despite being greatly endangered himself by Soviet tanks. After this he began the assault anew with a handful of Panzergrenadiers and led the attack until it reached its objective. A few days later this brave Unteroffizier died a hero’s death.”

606th Award.

• Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
• Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
  
• - HUß, JÜRGEN & SONDERMANN, HEINZ-WERNER, Ritterkreuzträger im Mannschaftsstand 1941-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2009.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
  - Znaimer Tagblatt (Edition 244)

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