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 448 Knight's Cross recipients of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS whose last name starts with "R". The AKCR named 447 recipients.[5] Scherzer has challenged the validity of 11 of these listings but also identified one additional legitimate recipient, Siegfried Rieger.[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 (R)
Service
Number of presentations
Posthumous presentations
Heer
295
22
Kriegsmarine
16
0
Luftwaffe
98
14
Waffen-SS
39
5
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 448 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "R", 46 were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, eight the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, two the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds and one the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds; 41 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received 295 of the medals, including the additional recipient identified by Scherzer; 16 went to the Kriegsmarine, 98 to the Luftwaffe, and 39 to the Waffen-SS.[5][12] The sequential numbers greater than 843 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and are therefore denoted in parentheses.[13]
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 historian Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
^According to Scherzer later named Waldemar Radener-Blaschke.[17]
^Helmut Radochla's nomination by the troop was received by Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 21 March 1945. The nomination had been submitted by the 212. Volksgrenadier Division, to which the 2./Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon had been subordinated at the time, via the Heeresgruppe B. Radochla is listed with a sequential Nr. 5156 in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses). However only the entry date of 21 March along with MajorJoachim Domaschk's recommendation "Knight's Cross yes" was noted. No further proof that the presentation was made can be found in the archives. A file card for the list of approved or rejected nominations had been created. The 212. Volksgrenadier Division, and thus the 2./Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon, had been encircled and taken prisoner of war in the vicinity of Baumholder by American forces at the time of the presentation. The commanding general of the 212. Volksgrenadier Division, Generalleutnant Franz Sensfuß, who had been nominated for the Oak Leaves at the same time, was postponed by Major Domaschk in accordance with AHA 44 Ziff. 572. Veit Scherzer argues that with a very high probability Major Domaschk, without noting, also deferred the decision on Radochla. 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.[18]
^Joseph von Radowitz nomination for the Oak Leaves was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) from the troop on 30 April 1945 and approved by all intermittent commanding officers. MajorJoachim Domaschk ruled that the nomination was insufficient and disapproved on 1 May and recommended "Decision by Chief of OKW". The file contains no indication whether this decision was ever taken. A teleprinter message was sent on 2 May to the nominating unit, the cavalry corps, and further messages to the commanding officers of the Panzer AOK 2 and Heeresgruppe Süd: "...was disapproved because ... the Führer criteria for the presentation guidelines have not been met. I.A. signed Maisel" The sequential number "882" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR), the presentation date by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[18]
^Georg Radziej's teleprinter nomination, without the compulsory reasoning, by the troop was received by the at the time relocating 1st echelon of the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 20 April 1945. More detail regarding the nomination was promised in the teleprinter message which was never sent or was lost. Radziej was not listed in the nomination book nor was a file card created. A presentation cannot be verified 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.[19]
^ abcdefghijklThe 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 commander of the II./Panzer-Regiment 3.[20]
^ abAccording to Scherzer as Generalmajor and commander of the Ergänzenden Einheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps (auxiliary units and schools of the 11th Air Corps) and leader of the Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1.[22]
^Alfons Rebane received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 February 1944 as Major and commander of the estnisches Freiwilligen-Bataillon 658 in the 28. Jäger-Division, at the time a Wehrmacht division and not part of the Waffen-SS. His nomination of the Oak Leaves was submitted to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 12 April 1945. The German Federal Archives only hold a copy of the nomination. There is no indication or remark that the nomination was processed. The nomination list for the higher grade of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves dates the nomination on 2 April 1945. This list also gives no indication that the nomination had been processed. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1974 and decided: 875th Oak Leaves on 8 May 1945. The sequential number "875" was assigned by the AKCR, the date was later changed by Fellgiebel to 9 May 1945. Rebane was member of the AKCR.[19]
^No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. According to Krätschmer (letter to Von Seemen dated 7 August 1980) the award was presented together with the Oak Leaves to Matthias Kleinheisterkamp. Presumably the announcement was made via radio transmission on 28 April 1945 from the Führer Headquarters in Berlin to the 9. Armee (9th Army) in the Halbe pocket. The radio transmissions received by the AOK 9 (Armeeoberkommando 9 — high command of the 9th army) in April 1945 were not retained. All communication to the Führerbunker in Berlin were out of order as of 5AM on 28 April. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed the case in 1981 and decided: "Knight's Cross yes, 28 April 1945", Gustav-Peter Reber was a member of the AKCR.[19]
^According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 10.[26]
^ abAccording to Scherzer name is spelled Otto Reichold who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as leader of the regimental pioneer platoon of Grenadier-Regiment 448.[32]
^According to Scherzer as machine gunner in the 8./Jäger-Regiment 459 (L).[32]
^According to Scherzer as radio troop leader in the Stab I./Grenadier-Regiment 358.[34]
^According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 44.[34]
^According to Scherzer as pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 1.(F)/121.[37]
^According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 14./Infanterie-Regiment 337.[37]
^According to Scherzer as chief of the 3./Flak-Regiment 36.[37]
^According to Scherzer the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross were awarded on 5 October 1942.[37]
^According to Scherzer as commander of the II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 10.[38]
^Voldemars Reinholds' nomination by the troop was received by Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 25 March 1945. The HPA created a nomination numbered 4940 on 30 March 1945. A file card listing the same information is filed among the rejected nominations. The column verliehen (Awarded) in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) is blank. No proof exists that the Knight's Cross was awarded. The presentation date was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[40]
^According to Scherzer in the 2./Panzer-Regiment 6 [not a group leader].[38]
^No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. Presumably the award was presented by SS-OberstgruppenführerSepp Dietrich which would make it an unlawful presentation. The author was denied access to files, which could help clarify the case, of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) on the grounds of the Bundesarchivgesetz (German Archive Law). The presentation date 6 May 1945 was assigned by Fellgiebel. Scherzer questions whether this was done to place Rudolf Rettberg among the Sepp Dietrich awards. Krätschmer and Von Seemen state the 1 May 1945.[48][49]
^ abAccording to Scherzer his name is Rudolf Reußner who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as pilot in the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann".[50]
^According to Scherzer as leader of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 24.[52]
^The nomination by the troop via teleprinter message was sent on 25 March 1945, according to file card on 28 March 1945, according to the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) on 5 April 1945. The nomination was returned to the HPA/P5a (Army personnel office) by SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Kment, the adjutant of Heinrich Himmler and liaison officer to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office), with the approval of Himmler on 29 April 1945. Retained by the German Federal Archives are four identical copies listing the approval of Friedrich Richter's divisional commander Heinz Harmel and the Reichsführer SS, as well as three almost finished nominations by the HPA. Missing is the confirmation of the commander-in-chief of the 9. Armee and Army Group Vistula. The nomination of the HPA Nr. 4729 is listed in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses), however lacks reference to this number and remained unfinished by the end of the war. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1977 and decided "Knight's Cross yes, 6 May 1945". Fellgiebel later changed this date again. Krätschmer lists the 9 May 1945. Richter was a member of the AKCR.[48][56]
^According to Scherzer as commander of Fallschirm-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Hermann Göring".[55]
^According to Scherzer as chief of the 7./SS-Panzer-Regiment 10.[59]
^Gerd Riedel's Knight's Cross nomination was submitted by the troop via teleprinter message on 6 March 1945. A stamp indicated an entry date of 8 March 1945. The written nomination was sent on 24 March and was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 April. A day later MajorJoachim Domaschk processed this request and noted: "By no means sufficient for the Knight's Cross!" General Ernst Maisel disapproved the nomination on 30 April—he had been authorized to do so at this time. The troop was probably not informed of this decision. The IIa (Adjutant) of commander-in-chief North had entered Riedel's "pending" nomination on a list for approval by GroßadmiralKarl Dönitz shortly before the German surrender. In parallel the HPA was informed and Oberst Goecke created an Heerespersonalamt-Außenstelle-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA/A-VV—Branch of the Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation). He had approved the nomination and backdated the nomination to 28 April. Neither the list nor the recommendation was signed. A presentation was never made and a legally binding disapproval was made by General Maisel. The presentation date was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Riedel was a member of the AKCR.[61]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the 3./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 73.[59]
^ abAccording to Scherzer on 18 February 1945 as latoon leader in the 4./Jagd-Panzer-Abteilung 2 [Panzer-Jäger-Brigade 104].[59]
^According to Scherzer as leader of the 1./SS-Panzer-Regiment 3.[59]
^No evidence regarding the presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Fritz Rieflin can be found in the German Federal Archives. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel also had no evidence and wrote on 11 July 1983 to Mr. Eichhorn: "I have to rely on Krätschmer in Rieflin's case...". Unlawful presentation by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. Rieflin was a member of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[62]
^ 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 chief of the 3./Infanterie-Regiment 36.[67]
^According to Scherzer as commander of RäumbootR-23.[69]
^Heinrich Rodemich's nomination by the troop was received by Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 16 April 1945. MajorJoachim Domaschk decided: "By no means sufficient". The HPA-VV file card Nr. 5084a (rejected) was forwarded on 19 April. No further notes or comments were made. The presentation date was assumed by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Rodemich is a member of the AKCR.[62]
^No evidence regarding the presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Erwin Franz Roestel can be found in the German Federal Archives. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel states about Roestel: "Presentation Heeresgruppe Mitte before 3 May 1945",[77] thus making it unlawful. Fellgiebel certified, as head of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR), in a letter dated 11 June 1974 to Roestel that the AKCR has accepted him as a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron, legitimized by the Dönitz-decree.[62] The files of the AKCR reveal the following facts: Roestel assumed that Ferdinand Schörner had nominated him for the Knight's Cross in April 1945 because Schörner had said he would do so: " ... Schörner and I were standing with the famous test pilot Hanna Reitsch ... at a street in Marklissa ... Schörner then asked me ... Why don't you have the Knight's Cross already?... I answered: Because I am an assault artillerist. ... But this time ... you will definitely get the Knight's Cross, because I will take care of it!", so Schörner. Roestel therefore strongly believes that Schörner had nominated him. To the question, why the presentation was not made before the war ended, Roestel answered: "I can only assume that his nomination for my Knight's Cross was lost." Roestel sent an affidavit 24 years later to Schörner asking him for confirmation. Schörner answered: "Even though I cannot remember every detail I can confirm the factual content ... in all relevant points. The presentation to Roestel, based on my nomination, was the last honor bestowed by the 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg."[78] Veit Scherzer concluded: Schörner did not confirm that he made the presentation to Roestel. He claimed to have made a nomination. Therefore it cannot be a direct presentation by Schörner himself. This leaves two alternatives, a presentation via the command chain or a direct presentation by Hitler. A nomination by the troop via the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) is not verifiable. A presentation via the command chain must therefore be ruled out. Roestel's reference to Hanna Reitsch, who managed to evacuate FeldmarschallRobert Ritter von Greim from Berlin on 28 April 1945, indicates that the meeting of Roestel, Reitsch and Schörner could only have taken place after 28 April. This however rules out a direct presentation by Hitler. All the radio connection to the Führerbunker were down since 5:00 on 28 April 1945. According to the 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 "3 May 1945" was assigned by Fellgiebel. Roestel was a member of the AKCR.[79]
^According to Scherzer as leader in Sturm-Bataillon AOK 8.[80]
^Only a copy of the teleprinter message submitted nomination by the troop to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) was retained. There is not a single comment or indication on this copy indicating that the nomination was further processed. A file card listing the same information is filed among the rejected 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 copied by Fellgiebel and Krätschmer.[79]
^According to Ernst-Günther Krätschmer and Veit Scherzer, Erich Rossner died on 30 July 1941, however Walther-Peer Fellgiebel states he died of wounds sustained in the defensive battle at Yelnya on 12 September 1941.[85][88][89]
^According to Scherzer as Fliegerführer Nord (Ost).[88]
^According to Scherzer name is spelled Heinz Rothhardt.[91]
^ abAccording to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves and leader of the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 544.[91]
^"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.
Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer[in German] (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. 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.