TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Wolff, von, Horst (Infanterie-Regiment 478)

Date of birth:
July 26th, 1886 (Rosenberg/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
October 9th, 1941 (Woroniski, Vjasma, Kaluga, Russian SFSR, USSR)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

28.02.1905: Fähnrich, Jäger-Bataillon von Neumann (1. Schlesisches ) Nr. 5
27.01.1906: promoted to Leutnant
01.10.1910: Unteroffiziersschule Potsdam
16.06.1913: promoted to Oberleutnant
19.07.1913: Bataillons-Adjutant, Jäger-Bataillon von Neumann (1. Schlesisches ) Nr. 5
27.01.1915: promoted to Hauptmann
00.00.1915-00.00.1918: Bataillons-Adjutant, Kompanieführer then Bataillonsführer
11.07.1916: Führer, Bataillon, Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 109
28.11.1917: Hauptmann, awarded the Pour le Mérite
26.02.1918: Generalstab, 220. Infanterie-Division
00.03.1919: Charakter als Major -retired
00.00.1934: SA-Standartenführer
01.08.1939: Oberstleutnant, Kdr, Infanterie-Regiment 94
27.08.1939: promoted to Oberstleutnant z.V.
00.08.1939: Oberstleutnant z.V., Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 222, 75. Infanterie-Division
05.02.1941: Oberst, Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 478, 258. Infanterie-Division
09.10.1941: Regimentskommandeur, KIA near Woroniki, Kaluga
15.02.1943: posthumously promoted to Generalmajor - RDA 01.10.1941

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
July 17th, 1917
with swords
Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Bataillons-Kommandeur, Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 109
Awarded on:
November 28th, 1917
Pour le Mérite
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 478, 258. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
September 20th, 1941
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 478, 258. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 10th, 1941
At 10:00 on the 03.09.1941 the 258. Infanterie-Division (located along the Desna front) was ordered to dispatch its mobile reserves to the railway station at Dubrowka. This intervention group was placed under the command of Oberst von Wolff, and consisted of the A.A. 258, 3./Pi 258, Pz.-Jäger-Abt. 258, parts of the Nachrichten-Abt. (under Leutnant Schröder), and the 4. & 9./AR 258 (these two Batterien were horse-drawn and didn’t arrive until the next day).

Having arrived at the designated location, Wolff and his intervention group were ordered to eliminate a Soviet penetration in the sector of the 34. Infanterie-Division by attacking it in the northern flank (about 2 km northeast of Rapitschi-Ssobolewa) and pushing it back. Immediately after receiving this order in the area of operations, Oberst von Wolff decided to attack despite the fact that the situation was unclear and that evening was setting in.

He began a thrust towards Nowyj-Ssalynj, and continued the assault in the morning of the next day (the 05.09.1941). Although the Soviets had meanwhile taken defensive measures in the ravine-covered terrain, and only minimal support from heavy weapons was available (the artillery had not yet arrived!), the German attack made it to the eastern edge of Nowyj-Ssalynj. Over 800 prisoners were captured, as well as 3 guns, 21 heavy machine-guns and numerous mortars.

This swift action by Oberst von Wolff surprised the Soviets, and prevented them from carrying on their advance to the vital Roslavl—Bryansk road. At the time the road was being used as the supply route for Panzergruppe Guderian, which was currently in the process of encircling Soviet forces at Kiev from the north. For his decisive contribution to the German operations, as well as the initiative and bold drive he demonstrated, Oberst von Wolff would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

posthumously awarded
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photos