Heinz Paul Adolff

Heinz Paul Adolff
Born 29 June 1914(1914-06-29)
Backnang
Died 17 July 1943(1943-07-17) (aged 29)
Sicily, Italy
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1935–1937
1939–1943
Rank Major der Reserves (Posthumously)
Commands held Fallschirm-Pionier-Battalion 1
Battles/wars

World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Heinz Paul Adolff (29 June 1914 – 17 July 1943) was a highly decorated Major der Reserves in the Fallschirmjäger 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. Heinz Paul Adolff was mortally wounded trying to destroy the Primasole Bridge over the River Simeto on 17 July 1943 during the Allied invasion of Sicily. Adolff attempted to drive a truck loaded with two aerial bombs onto the bridge. After two failed attempts he was severely wounded on the third attempt and succumbed to wounds shortly afterwards. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Major der Reserves.

Awards and decorations

References

Citations
  1. ^ Patzwall and Scherzer 2001, p. 11.
  2. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 98.
Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Kurowski, Franz (1995). Knights of the Wehrmacht Knight's Cross Holders of the Fallschirmjäger. Schiffer Military. ISBN 0-88740-749-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941–1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall (in German). ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
  • 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Thomas, Franz and Wegmann, Günter (1986). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Teil II: Fallschirmjäger (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 3-7648-1461-6

External links