Finke, Heinz

Date of birth:: February 8th, 1920 (Alt-Jauer/Prussia, Germany)
Date of death:: December 7th, 1996 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
November 1938: Gefreiter;
October 1939: Fahnenjunker;
December 1st, 1939: Unteroffizier;
July 17th, 1940: Leutnant (RDA July 1st, 1940);
June 29th, 1942: Oberleutnant der Reserve;
November 30th, 1943: Hauptmann;
April 24th, 1944: Major;
?: Major im Generalstab (Bundeswehr);
?: Oberstleutnant im Generalstab (Bundeswehr);
September 16th, 1968: Oberst im Generalstab (Bundeswehr).

Career:
October 3rd, 1938: 5. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 51;
?: Kompanietruppmelder, 5. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 51;
October 3rd, 1939: Offiziers-Anwärter;
October 1939: Kriegsschule Döberitz;
April 1940: Zugführer 4. (MG) Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 51;
December 1941 - 1943: Führer/Chef 4. (MG) Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 51;
?: Führer, I. Bataillon Infanterie-Regiment (motorisiert) 51;
December 1943: Kommandeur I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 51;
March 13th, 1945 - October 13th, 1955: Soviet POW;
September 3rd 1956: Bundeswehr;
?: Referent;
1968: Lehrgruppenleiter Führungsakademie;
1975: Assistent-Kommandeur 6. Panzergrenadier-Division;
1979: Retirement.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:: Kompanietruppmelder, 5. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 51, 18. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 9th, 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:: Zugführer, 4. (MG) Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 51, 18. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 12th, 1941

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 51 (motorisiert), 18. Panzergrenadier-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: September 5th, 1943

Nahkampfspange in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 51 (motorisiert), 18. Panzergrenadier-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 1st, 1943

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 51 (motorisiert), 18. Panzergrenadier-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: May 4th, 1944

The following press article describes the Knight’s Cross action of Heinz Finke, which took place during the last week of March 1944…

“The I. Bataillon was to defend the right cornerstone of the defensive front, the Trichterwald, to the last man. The Silesian Panzergrenadiers had held their ground for two days against a ceaseless onslaught. Thus the Soviet leadership decided to break this projecting flanking position with a violent effort. A strong assault regiment would tear a hole in the front, two rifle divisions would widen the breach, and six additional rifle divisions plus two tank brigades would complete the breakthrough and roll up the Division’s front from the flank. The enemy managed to take out two strongpoints along the Bataillon’s sector. The Soviets then pushed forward through the forest (which had been ravaged by drumfire) up to the Bataillon command post. Heinz Fink placed himself at the head of his ready reserve, launched a counterthrust up to as far as the eastern edge of the Trichterwald and closed the breach. The enemy paid for their failed breakthrough attempt with over 500 counted dead.”