Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 46, 30. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 31st, 1943

The following newspaper article (dated 22.09.1943) describes why Wilhelm received the Knight’s Cross…

“Heroic Death of a Knight’s Cross Holder:

… Oberleutnant der Reserve Karl-Heinz Wilhelm… distinguished himself through his heroic bravery and determination during the defensive fighting south of Lake Ilmen in the time period 14.-17.03.1943. Despite being wounded twice here he was able to eliminate a Soviet penetration in his sector on his own initiative with just a handful of men. He thus eliminated a threat for his Division’s key defensive position, and so he was awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross on the 31.03.1943 for this deed. Oberleutnant der Reserve Wilhelm later died a heroic death on the 14.08.1943 whilst serving as a Kompanie commander in a Grenadier-Regiment.”