Kurt Feldt

Kurt Feldt (22 November 1897 – 11 March 1970) was a highly decorated General der Kavallerie in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Kurt Feldt was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was held until 1947.

Biography

Feldt was born in Schmentau, he joined the service of the German Cavalry, being enlisted in 1. Kavalleriedivision at the beginning of World War I. During that war and the interbellum, he would remain part of that unit, and other regiments, until commanding it in the next war. During the first years of the Second World War he and his division were involved in many campaigns and battles. The division's most notable, and independent action being that of the occupation of the northern provinces of The Netherlands in May 1940, leading to the Battle of The Afsluitdijk. In June 1940 he was involved in the capture of Saumur, the seat of the French Cavalry, where the famous Cadre Noir was located. When 1. Kavalleriedivision was transformed into 24th Panzer Division in 1942, he became Befehlshaber South-West in April that year and later commanded Wehrkreis VI (Westfalen). In 1944 he fought in France and the Low Countries against the Allies until being captured by the British.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Cross of Honor
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • Knight's Cross on 23 August 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of 1. Kavallerie-Division

References

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Lexikon der Wehrmacht
• Ritterkreuztraeger 1939-1945