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Trittel, Rudolf

Date of birth:
June 18th, 1913 (Magdeburg/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
May 18th, 1945 (Lazaret Kastrup-Vordingborg, Danmark)
Buried on:
German War Graves Kastrup
Row: 1. Grave: 73.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
April 1st, 1936: Leutnant;
April 1st, 1939: Oberleutnant;
March 1st, 1942: Hauptmann;
December 1st, 1943: Major;
April 1st, 1944: Oberstleutnant.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 11th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 479, 258. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 14th, 1943
On the 19.07.1943 the Soviets succeeded in breaking through the German lines and captured the town of Trossna (on the road to Orel). Their advance was eventually contained by German reserve units, and on the morning of that same day the German Grenadier-Regiment 479 began its counterattack, recapturing the villages of Iginka and Barkovo. Trittel, who up until then had played a significant role in the German response, became wounded and fell out shortly after this. At this stage his adjutant, Leutnant Molls, took over and in the afternoon the Germans succeeded in recapturing Trossna and the road leading to it. Trittel was awarded the Knight's Cross for his contribution to the German victory here.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 9, 24. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 23rd, 1945
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
During the Soviet assault on East Prussia in early 1945 Trittel's Regiment found itself right in the path of the attackers. The Soviets swept past the regiment on either flank and threatened its planned withdrawal movement. Trittel gathered some troops and launched a riposte into the Soviet forces advancing past his north flank, inflicting heavy losses on them and giving his Regiment an opportunity to pull back.

Trittel's Regiment, which by then had absorbed two other battalions to form Kampfgruppe Trittel, was separated from its parent division and began to be used in an independent role starting on the 22.01.1945. It then participated in a series of defensive battles in the first week of February during which it achieved a number of successes. Trittel was awarded the Oakleaves for his command achievements during this difficult period.

799th Award.

Sources

Photo