These recipients are listed in the 1986 edition of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel [de; fr; ja; pt; ru; uk]'s book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945. Fellgiebel was the former chairman and head of the order commission of the AKCR. In 1996, the second edition of this book was published with an addendum delisting 11 of these original recipients. Author Veit Scherzer has cast doubt on a further 193 of these listings. The majority of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany in the final days of World War II in Europe left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.[4]
Listed here are the 224 Knight's Cross recipients of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS whose last name is in the range "Hn–Hz".[5] Scherzer has challenged the validity of 14 of these listings.[6] This is the second of two lists of all 661 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients whose last name starts with "H". The recipients whose last name is in the range "Ha–Hm" are listed at List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Ha–Hm).[7] The recipients are initially ordered alphabetically by last name. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded.
Background
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[8] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[9] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[10] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[11]
Recipients
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Hn–Hz)
Service
Number of presentations
Posthumous presentations
Heer (incl. Volkssturm)
155
11
Kriegsmarine
7
0
Luftwaffe
55
4
Waffen-SS
7
1
The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists for the Waffen-SS and for each of the three military branches, the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), and Luftwaffe (Air Force). Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.[12] Of the 224 awards made to servicemen whose last name is in the range "Hn–Hz", 24 were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, three the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and one the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds; 16 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members, including the Volkssturm, received 155 of the medals; 7 went to the Kriegsmarine, 55 to the Luftwaffe, and 7 to the Waffen-SS.[5]
This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
^Cord von Hobe was twice nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The first nomination was submitted on 30 March 1945 for actions near Trier as commander of Grenadier-Regiment 226. This nomination was approved by MajorJoachim Domaschk on 3 April. A Heerespersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA-VV—Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) Nr. 4970 was created and forwarded. Hitler rejected this nomination on 10 April. The HPA-VV and file card note the rejection-Nr. 3984. Both HPA-VV and file card still exist today. A second nomination, most likely a teleprinter message, for actions near Marktbreit does not exist anymore. No HPA-VV nor file card were created. Von Hobe was added to the 1st section of the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) by Major Domaschk with an entry Nr. 5102. This number was assigned twice since the 2nd section also starts with Nr. 5100. Why Major Domaschk listed Von Hobe in this section remains unanswered. However, this entry reveals that the nomination was received by the HPA on 9 May 1945, and forwarded on this day to General Ernst Maisel and presented the very same day. This presentation was noted and communicated both by radio message and in written format to the OB West. A second file card in the German Federal Archives, based on the information contained in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze", was created by the Federal Ministry of Defence in the 60s. This presentation was illegal, first, because the presentation occurred after 8 May 1945, secondly, because neither General Maisel nor Major Domaschk were authorized at this time. Von Hobe was a member of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[13]
^ abcThe brackets around the doctor title [Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded.
^No evidence regarding the presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Hermann Hölter can be found in the German Federal Archives. The presumed presentation to Hölter was discussed three times by the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). The chairman was Walther-Peer Fellgiebel and the ruling in 1976/76 was "no", in 1981/82 "yes 3 May 1945" and "no" again in 1983/84. Fellgiebel chose to list him in his 1986 published book. Apparently Hölter presented his pay book as evidence in 1981. This evidence had been accepted by Fellgiebel at the time. What motivated Fellgiebel to strike him from the list again two years later only to add him again remains unanswered. A presentation is questionable for two reasons. First, Hitler banned presentation for pure leadership reasons on 10 March 1945. As of this date, the Knight's Cross could only be presented for personal bravery. There was no noteworthy combat in Norway in 1945, and Hölter was a member of the general staff and not in command of any direct combatants. Scherzer states that the presentation date suggests that it is an assumption or manipulation. The presentation date is closely linked to the radio communication for the empowerment for autonomous presentations. Hölter was a member of the AKCR.[18]
^ abAccording to Scherzer on 16 March 1945 as Kriegsberichter der Fallschirmtruppe.[20]
^Erich Hoepner was deprived of all honours, ranks and orders and dishonourably discharged from the Heer on 8 January 1942. He was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof and executed on 8 August 1944 in connection with the 20 July plot, a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler.[13]
^According to Scherzer as commander of the I./SS-Grenadier-Regiment (motorized) 10.[21]
^According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 7.[21]
^Roland von Hößlin, in connection with the 20 July plot, a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was deprived of all honours, ranks and orders and dishonourably discharged from the Heer on 14 September 1944. The civilian von Hößlin was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof on 13 October 1944 and executed the same day.[23]
^ abAccording to Scherzer as SS-Sturmbannführer and Major of the Schupo and commander of the III./SS-Artillerie-Regiment 54.[21]
^There is no reference of the Knight's Cross awarded to Carl Hoff in the archives of the Kriegsmarine. His personal file contains a copy of a letter from 1955 by the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt), indicating that no proof of the award exists. Author Manfred Dörr states that Hoff received the Knight's Cross on 28 May 1945, thus after the capitulation. The date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[24]
^Paul Hofmann's nomination by his unit was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 30 March 1945. Missing were the approvals of all intermediate commanding officers. An identical nomination, which had been approved by the Reichsführer SS, was received on 13 April. This nomination was approved by MajorJoachim Domaschk on 30 April 1945. A Heerespersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA-VV—Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) was not created. There is no evidence of the presentation. Two file cards are in the German Federal Archives, a contemporary with an entry date 30 March 1945, and one created by the Federal Ministry of Defence in the 1960s for the 13 April 1945. Both file cards note "unfinished" in the presentation field. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[24]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the 1./Panzer-Regiment 31.[31]
^Heinrich Hohmeier's nomination by his unit was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 April 1945 (the file card states an entry date of 10 April 1945, which is the creation date of his unit). His presentation is not listed in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses). There is no evidence that the nomination was approved or further processed. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[32]
^According to Scherzer as group leader in the 2./Aufklärungs-Abteilung 36.[33]
^Josef Hollermeier's Heerespersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA-VV—Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) was forwarded and approved by Adolf Hitler on 18 December 1944. The HPA received notice via the command chain shortly after 18 December that Hollermeier was missing in action. Subsequently the presentation, in accordance with regulation, was put on hold and it was to be ruled over again after the war. The presentation date was struck from the file card and a note was added indicating that Hollermeier was missing in action. He was also struck from the Knight's Cross recommendation book, which had listed him with entry number 4232. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[32]
^According to Scherzer as chief of the 1./Infanterie-Regiment 170.[37]
^Hans Hoppe's nomination by his unit was processed by the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe/Auszeichnung und Disziplin (OKL/AuD—Air Force High Command/Award and Discipline) on 16 April 1945. This nomination, now recommending approval, was forwarded on 17 April with a Luftwaffenpersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (LPA-VV—Air Force Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) Nr. 1578 to the adjutancy of Hermann Göring. The nomination was never finalized and was left unfinished by the end of the war. A presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross cannot be verified. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[18]
^According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 218.[39]
^According to Scherzer as leader of Flak-Regiment (provisionally motorized) 133.[39]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the 1./Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 1.[40]
^No evidence regarding the presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Hermann Hüttebräucker can be found in the German Federal Archives. According to Walther-Peer Fellgiebel the presentation was made by FeldmarschallFerdinand Schörner, who had been empowered on 3 May 1945 to do so. This reasoning was replicated by Von Seemen.[47] The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) files dating 1971 to 1984 do not mention to have processed Hüttebräucker's case. Author Veit Scherzer states that he has a photocopy of Hüttebräucker's paybook, which is in the possession of a private collector. The paybook contains two typewriter written sheets of paper, attached with a paperclip, indicating that the presentation was made on 18 March 1945. According to Scherzer these paper sheets are not authentic. Additionally the paybook contains further inconsistencies. A letter dated 18 March 1945, congratulating Hüttebräucker, written by the divisional commander General Remer, shows the insignia of a Commander-in-Chief of an Army Group, and not those of a divisional commander.[48]
^According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the Aufklärungsstaffel 5.(F)/122.[46]
^According to Scherzer as commander of Leitstelle für Frontaufklärung II West.[49]
^ abAccording to Scherzer on 20 April 1945 as leader of 7./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge" (Norwegian Nr. 1) and leader of a Kampfgruppe from 6. and 7./23.[49]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the 1./SS-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 12.[52]
^According to Scherzer as commander of the I./Artillerie-Regiment 240.[53]
^"Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940"(PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer[in German] (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN978-3-7909-0284-6.
Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN978-3-938845-17-2.
Von Seemen, Gerhard (1976). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 : die Ritterkreuzträger sämtlicher Wehrmachtteile, Brillanten-, Schwerter- und Eichenlaubträger in der Reihenfolge der Verleihung : Anhang mit Verleihungsbestimmungen und weiteren Angaben [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 : The Knight's Cross Bearers of All the Armed Services, Diamonds, Swords and Oak Leaves Bearers in the Order of Presentation: Appendix with Further Information and Presentation Requirements] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Verlag. ISBN978-3-7909-0051-4.