| Ernst Krag | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 February 1915 Wiesbaden, Germany |
| Died | 24 May 1994 |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Waffen SS |
| Years of service | 1935–1945 |
| Rank | Sturmbannführer |
| Unit | 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oakleaves German Cross in Gold Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Close Combat Clasp in Bronze |
Ernst August Krag was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves.
Krag joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1935 and was assigned to the 5th Company Germania Regiment. In 1937 he volunteered for paratroop training at the Luftwaffe school at Stendal, following which he returned to the division and was promoted to SS-Unterscharführer. He was then selected for officer training and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tolz from November 1938 to August 1939. After some additional training at the Artillery school at Jüterbog, Krag was posted as the commander of the 3rd Battery, 3rd SS Artillery regiment, Das Reich. In 1940 he was the adjutant for the 1st Battalion under Herbert Otto Gille. He was severely wounded on 23 January and returned to Germany to recover. When he returned to the unit, he was posted as the Artillery Regiment Adjutant holding this post for about 6 months. In October 1942, he moved to the Sturmgeschutz (StuG) Battalion as the 2nd Battery Commander. It was during this time that Krag was awarded the German Cross in Gold. In August 1943 he took temporary command of the Sturmgeschutz Battalion which was later made his permanent Command. In late July 1944, he was posted again this time to Command the 2nd SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion Das Reich, during which he was awarded the Knight's Cross and the only Oakleaves awarded to a member of the Reconnaissance battalion. [1][2]