Helmut Meitzel

Helmut Meitzel
Born 24 April 1920
Wabern
Died 9 July 2004 (aged 84)
Bad Wildungen
Allegiance  Nazi Germany (to 1945)
 West Germany
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1939–45
1956–79
Rank Major (Wehrmacht)
Oberst (Bundeswehr)
Commands held II./Grenadier-Regiment 15 (mot.)
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Helmut Meitzel (24 April 1920 – 9 July 2004) was a highly decorated Major 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 and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was also awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold one of only 631 awards.

Awards and decorations

Wehrmachtbericht references

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
16 January 1944 Bei den schweren Kämpfen im Raum nordwestlich Mignano hat sich das II. Bataillon des Panzergrenadierregiments 15 unter Hauptmann Meitzel sowie das II. Bataillon des Panzergrenadierregiments 71 unter Hauptmann Schneider hervorragend bewährt.[2] In the heavy fighting in the area northwest Mignano, the 2nd Battalion of the Panzergrenadier Regiment 15, under Captain Meitzel and the 2nd Battalion of the Panzergrenadier Regiment 71, under Captain Schneider, have exceptionally proven themselves.

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 252.
  2. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 12.
Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Berger, Florian (2004). Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold [Knight's Cross Bearers with the Close Combat Clasp in Gold] (in German). Vienna, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 978-3-9501307-3-7.
  • 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. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 3, 1 January 1944 to 9 May 1945] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2.

External links