These recipients are listed in the 1986 edition of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945]. Fellgiebel was the former chairman and head of the order commission of the AKCR. In 1996, the second edition of this book was published with an addendum delisting 11 of these original recipients. Author Veit Scherzer has cast doubt on a further 193 of these listings. The majority of the disputed recipients had been nominated for the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany during the final days of World War II left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.[4]
Listed here are the 446 Knight's Cross recipients of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS whose last name starts with "W".[5] Scherzer has challenged the validity of 11 of these listings.[6] The recipients are initially ordered alphabetically by last name. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded.
Background
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[7] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[8] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[9] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[10]
Recipients
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (W)
Service
Number of presentations
Posthumous presentations
Heer
307
30
Kriegsmarine
22
2
Luftwaffe
92
7
Waffen-SS
25
2
The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists for the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Waffen-SS. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.[11] Of the 446 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "W", 46 were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and 11 the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords; 41 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received 307 of the medals; 22 went to the Kriegsmarine, 92 to the Luftwaffe, and 25 to the Waffen-SS.[5] The sequential numbers greater than 843 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and 143 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and are therefore denoted in parentheses.[12]
This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
^The Knight's Cross presentation to Otto Wagener was unlawfully made by the Dönitz Government after 8 May 1945. This can be verified by documented radio communication dated on 21 May 1945. The presentation date was backdated by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[16]
^According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the Aufklärungsstaffel 3.(F)/122.[13]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 431.[18]
^According to Scherzer as commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania".[18]
^According to Scherzer as commander of the I./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25.[22]
^According to Scherzer as chief of Panzerspäh-Kompanie 700/Panzer-Verband 700.[22]
^Gustav Walle's nomination by the troop, OB Nordwest, was received by Heerespersonalamt-Außenstelle (HPA/A—Branch of the Army Staff Office) as teleprinter message on 2 May 1945 at 17:00, indicating that he had destroyed nine enemy tanks with a Panzerfaust. A Heerespersonalamt-Außenstelle-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA/A-VV—Branch of the Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) was not created. The person in charge, Hauptmann Goerske, noted on the teleprinter message: "to be processed". The process was not completed before the end of hostilities and he indicated "for the archives". No further evidence can be found that the process was completed. The Federal Ministry of Defence stated in a letter to the German Federal Archives from 1963 that they hold no record of the presentation. Major Walle was struck from a list, which very likely was created by the IIa (divisional adjutant for personnel matters of the officers) of OB Nordwest for nominated Knight's Crosses, indicating that the Knight's Cross may have been presented. A legitimate presentation is thus possible, but also not verifiable. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[23]
^ abThe brackets around the professor and doctor title [Prof. Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded.
^According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Grenadier-Regiment (motorized) 29.[22]
^Helmut Walter's nomination by the troop, most likely a teleprinter message, does not exist anymore. A Heerespersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA-VV—Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) was not created nor a file card. MajorJoachim Domaschk listed him in the 1st section of the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) with an entry number Nr. 5100. This number was assigned twice since the 2nd section of the book also begins with Nr. 5100. Why Major Domaschk entered him this way is unknown. The entry reveals that a nomination by the troop was received by the HPA on 9 May 1945, and further processed the same day (Scherzer assumes to General Ernst Maisel) and presented. The presentation had been communicated to the OB West. The file card in the German Archive was created in the 1960s by the Federal Ministry of Defence based on the entry in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze". The presentation was unlawful, first because it was made after 8 May 1945, secondly neither General Maisel nor Major Domaschk were authorized at this time.[24]
^ abcdefgThe brackets around the doctor title [Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded.
^Franz Wecker's nomination by the troop was approved by all intermittent commanding officers and was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) as a teleprinter message on 21 April 1945. It was not listed in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses). It was left unfinished by the end of the war. There exists a file card for approved or unapproved nominations. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[37]
^According to Scherzer as leader of Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 3.[39]
^According to Scherzer as commander of SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2.[41]
^According to Scherzer as battalion leader in Regiment "von Stössel" (Alarm-Einheit (emergency unit) in the school VI for Fahnenjunker (cadets) of the infantry Metz)/Division-Nr. 462.[41]
^Bruno Weiler's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 April 1945. It was noted in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) with an entry number Nr. 5141. MajorJoachim Domaschk approved on 30 April 1945. There is no file card nor further evidence regarding its presentation can be found. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[42]
^According to Scherzer in the 6./schweres Artillerie-Regiment 46.[44]
^According to Scherzer as observer in the Aufklärungsstaffel 5.(F)/122.[44]
^ abAccording to Scherzer name is spelled Helmuth Werther who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as group leader of the Minenschiffe (minelayers) in the 21. UJ-Flottille.[58]
^According to Scherzer as leader of Grenadier-Regiment 430.[58]
^ abAccording to Scherzer on 4 September 1942 as pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet".[58]
^ abAccording to Scherzer name is spelled Kurt Wewelsiep who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as chief of the 2./Heeres-PionierBataillon 327.[60]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the 14./Infanterie-Regiment 506.[62]
^According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän of the Aufklärungsstaffel 2.(H)/14.[62]
^ abAccording to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves and leader of the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 81.[62]
^According to Scherzer as battalion doctor of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 120 (motorized).[70]
^According to Scherzer as Stabsintendant of the Reserves.[70]
^No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. According to Walther-Peer Fellgiebel the presentation was made by FeldmarschallFerdinand Schörner in accordance with the enabling act of 3 May 1945. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1973 and decided: "yes". What evidence was analyzed and processed is unknown to Scherzer. Scherzer was denied access to files, which could help clarify the case, of the AKCR on the grounds of the Bundesarchivgesetz (German Archive Law). Paul Wilhelm was a member of AKCR.[74]
^According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 19.[73]
^GeneralfeldmarschallErwin von Witzleben, in connection with the 20 July plot, the failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was deprived of all honors, ranks and orders and dishonourably discharged from the Heer on 4 August 1944. The civilian von Witzleben was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof on 8 August 1944.[74]
^No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. There is also no evidence in the files of the Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Edmund Woehl's presentation is also not mentioned in the contemporary printed press such as the Völkischer Beobachter or the Flensburger Nachrichten. It remains unclear on what grounds the AKCR has listed Woehl. Listed as Eduard Wöhl who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 April 1945 as Major and leader of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 51 by Gerhard von Seemen. Von Seemen states that this was a presentation in the "greater combat area of Berlin".[87] Therefore a legal presentation via the command chain (LVI Panzer Korps – Combat commander of Berlin (General Helmuth Weidling) – Chief of the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Branch of the Army Staff Office) Wilhelm Burgdorf – Adolf Hitler) is possible. Also possible is a direct presentation by Hitler. However, none of this can be verified.[74]
^ abAccording to Scherzer on 14 January 1942 as Staffelkapitän of the Aufklärungsstaffel 1.(F)/124.[94]
^According to Scherzer name is spelled Hanns Wolff.[94] The brackets around the doctor title [Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded.
^According to Scherzer as chief of the 3./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 263.[94]
^According to Scherzer as adjutant of the III./2. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler".[96]
^According to Scherzer as commander of Flak-Regiment 37.[96]
^According to Scherzer as leader of a Infanteriegeschütz-Kompanie in the fortress Küstrin.[100]
^According to Scherzer as commander in the 18. Vorpostenflottille.[100]
^The nomination by the troop is not documented. A file card indicates that it was received on 23 February 1945. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Kment, the adjutant of Heinrich Himmler and liaison officer to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office), noted that he did return the Himmler approved nomination on 29 April 1945 to the HPA/P5a (Army personnel office). Three copies for further processing were retained by the HPA but were left unfinished by the end of the war. Missing is the confirmation of the Commander-in-Chief of the 9. Armee and Army Group Vistula. The nomination did not receive a sequential number. The book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) does not list Erich Wulff. The nomination remained unfinished by the end of the war. The file card also contains a note "unfinished". A further file card can be found in the record for rejected or unfinished nominations. Mr Meentz of the German Federal Archives stated on 20 July 2004 that it cannot be verified that Wulff received the Knight's Cross.[103]
^According to Scherzer as pilot and observer in the Aufklärungsstaffel 12.(H)/13.[100]
^"Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940"(PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
^A brief biography of Horst Weber appears in 'Struck by Lightning', the story of HMS Lightning G-55 1941-43, John Dann, FastPrint Publishing, England, ISBN978-178035-480-4
Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer[in German] (2000) [1986]. 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. ISBN978-3-7909-0284-6.
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. ISBN978-3-938845-17-2.
Von Seemen, Gerhard (1976). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 : die Ritterkreuzträger sämtlicher Wehrmachtteile, Brillanten-, Schwerter- und Eichenlaubträger in der Reihenfolge der Verleihung : Anhang mit Verleihungsbestimmungen und weiteren Angaben [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 : The Knight's Cross Bearers of All the Armed Services, Diamonds, Swords and Oak Leaves Bearers in the Order of Presentation: Appendix with Further Information and Presentation Requirements] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Verlag. ISBN978-3-7909-0051-4.