Walter Tank (officer)
| Walter Tank | |
|---|---|
| Born |
3 November 1915 Konz |
| Died |
27 April 1998 (aged 82) Schriesheim |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1939–45 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | 3rd Panzer Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Walter Tank (3 November 1915 – 27 April 1998) was a German infantry commander and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Career
Oberleutnant Tank was commander of the 6./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 when he received the Knight’s Cross for his actions while crossing the Manytsch river. His company was the first to cross the river just after midnight on 1 August 1942 against fierce enemy artillery fire and stubborn resistance by NKVD troops. When his battalion commander was killed Tank assumed command and continued the battle, with his troops eventually wresting control of the far bank in close combat.[1]
Awards & decorations
- Iron Cross
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 September 1942 as Chef 6./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3
References
Citations
- ↑ Veterans of the 3rd Panzer Division (2012). Armoured Bears: Volume Two. Stackpole Books. p. 71-72.
Bibliography
- 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 Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.