List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (N)

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry.[1] A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945.[Note 1] This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.[3]

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 received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany in the final days of World War II in Europe left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.[4]

Listed here are the 145 Knight's Cross recipients whose last name starts with "N".[5] Fellgiebel himself delisted two and Scherzer has challenged the validity of two more of these listings.[6] The recipients are 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 (N)
Service   Number of presentations Posthumous presentations
Heer
103
7
Kriegsmarine
3
0
Luftwaffe
34
0
Waffen-SS
5
1

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 145 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "N", nine were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, four the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and one the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds; eight presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received one-hundred-three of the medals, including the award given to Hitlerjunge Günther Nowak. A further three presentations were given to the Kriegsmarine, thirty-four to the Luftwaffe, and five to the Waffen-SS.[12] The sequential numbers greater than 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.[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 ! (exclamation mark) indicates that author Walther-Peer Fellgiebel has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.

Name Service Rank Role and unit[Note 2] Date of award Notes Image
Heinz Nacke Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[14] Staffelkapitän of the 6./Zerstörergeschwader 76[14][15] 2 November 1940[14]
—
—
Rudolf Nacke Luftwaffe 11-LStabsfeldwebel[14] Pilot in the III./Kampfgeschwader 76[14][15] 23 July 1941[14]
—
—
Kurt Naderwitz Heer 13-HOberleutnant[14] Chief of the 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 112[14][15] 1 January 1944[14]
—
—
Werner Nadolski Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[16] Chief of the 3./Flak-Regiment 61 (motorized)[15][16] 31 December 1943[16]
—
—
Wilhelm Nädele Heer 15-HMajor[16] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 460[15][16] 4 November 1943[16]
—
—
Walter Näfe Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel[16] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Grenadier-Regiment 232[15][16] 4 October 1944[16]
—
—
Alfred Nähring Heer 15-HMajor[16] Leader of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 73[15][16] 4 October 1944[16]
—
—
Helmut Nagel Heer 15-HOberfeldwebel[16] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment-Gruppe 163[15][Note 3] 15 March 1944[16]
—
—
Willy Nagel Heer 17-HOberst[16] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 131[15][16] 12 June 1944[16]
—
—
Georg Nagengast Heer 15-HMajor[16] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 119 (motorized)[15][16] 28 November 1943[16]
—
—
Karl-Heinz Najock Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[16] Pilot and observer in the 1.(H)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 5[15][16] 28 April 1945[16]
—
—
Bruno Namyslo Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel[16] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 6./Jäger-Regiment 49[15][16] 4 May 1944[16]
—
—
Werner Naseband Heer 14-HHauptmann[16] Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 451[15][16] 28 January 1943[16]
—
—
Walter Nass Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[16] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 937[15][16] 30 September 1944[16]
—
—
Oldwig von Natzmer Heer 17-HOberst im Generalstab[16] Ia (operations officer) in the Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"[15][16] 4 September 1943[16]
—
—
Herbert Nau Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[17] Chief of the 10. Räumbootflottille[15][17] 11 July 1944[17]
—
—
Herbert Naue Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[17] Leader of the 2./Infanterie-Regiment 178[15][17] 13 July 1940[17]
—
—
Hans-Jörg Naumann Heer 14-HHauptmann[17] Commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 172 of the 72 Infanterie-Division[18][Note 4] 12 November 1943*[17] Killed in action 13 October 1943[15]
—
Helmut Naumann Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[17] Staffelkapitän of the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[15][17] 22 June 1941[Note 5]
—
—
Horst Naumann Heer 06-HUnteroffizier[17] Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 184[15][17] 4 January 1943[17]
—
—
Johannes Naumann Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[17] Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 6[15][17] 9 November 1944[17]
—
—
Werner Nebe Heer 15-HMajor[17] Commander of the I./Schützen-Regiment 59[15][17] 14 December 1941[17]
—
—
Peter Nebel Heer 13-HOberleutnant[17] Chief of the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 177[17][19] 27 March 1942[17]
—
—
Leonhard Nechansky Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[17] Chief of the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 131[17][19] 20 January 1943*[17] Killed in action 4 December 1942[19]
—
Hanns-Horst von Necker Luftwaffe 17-LOberst[17] Commander of Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 "Hermann Göring"[17][19] 24 June 1944[17]
—
—
Walther Nehring+ Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[17] Commander of the 18. Panzer-Division[17][19] 24 July 1941[17] Awarded 383rd Oak Leaves 8 February 1944
124th Swords 22 January 1945[17]
Franz Neibecker Heer 17-HOberst[17] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 227[17][20] 16 February 1942[17]
—
—
Hans Neidhöfer Heer 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[21] Leader of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 712[19][21] 26 December 1944[21]
—
—
Ludwig Neigl Heer 09-HFeldwebel[21] Deputy Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stabskompanie/schwere Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 519[19][21] 27 July 1944[21]
—
—
Egon von Neindorff+ Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[21] Commander of the garrison at Tarnopol[19][21] 4 April 1944[21] Awarded 457th Oak Leaves 17 April 1944[21]
—
Dr. Walter Neise Heer 17-HOberst of the Reserves[21] Commander of Armeewaffenschule of Panzer AOK 4[19][21] 5 February 1945[21]
—
—
Karl Neitzel Kriegsmarine 15-MKorvettenkapitän[21] Commander of U-510[19][21] 27 March 1943[21]
—
—
Walter Neitzel+ Heer 14-HHauptmann[21] Leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 409[19][21] 2 June 1943[21] Awarded 576th Oak Leaves 5 September 1944[21]
—
Herbert Nelke Luftwaffe 06-LUnteroffizier[21] Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 1./Flak-Regiment 23 (motorized)[19][Note 6] 4 July 1940[21]
—
Heinrich Nelles Heer 09-HFeldwebel[21] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 698[19][21] 10 September 1944[21]
—
—
Ludwig Nemecek Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[21] Observer in the 3.(F)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 122[19][Note 7] 19 September 1942[21]
—
—
Willi Nemitz Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[21] Pilot in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 52[19][Note 8] 24 March 1943[21]
—
—
Gerhart Nemnich Heer 14-HHauptmann[21] Commander of Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 19[19][21] 15 July 1943[21]
—
—
Günther Nentwig Heer 15-HMajor[22] Commander of the I./Artillerie-Regiment 295[19][22] 21 January 1942[22]
—
—
Karl Nestle Heer 09-HFeldwebel[22] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Grenadier-Regiment 35 (motorized)[19][22] 17 August 1943*[22] Killed in action 30 July 1943[19]
—
Helmut Neuber Heer 11-HStabsfeldwebel[22] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 176[19][22] 25 January 1945[22]
—
—
Frank Neubert Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[22] Staffelkapitän of the 2./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[19][22] 22 June 1941[Note 9]
—
—
Karl Neubert Heer 15-HMajor[22] Commander of Ski-Jäger-Bataillon 1[19][Note 10] 4 October 1944[22]
—
—
Rudolf Neubert+ Heer 14-HHauptmann[22] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 32[22][23] 29 February 1944[22] Awarded 817th Oak Leaves 5 April 1945[22]
—
Rudolf Neubrandt Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[22] Zugführer (platoon leader) in Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 37[22][23] 29 September 1940[22]
—
—
Walther Neuer Heer 15-HMajor[22] Leader of a Kampfgruppe in Ploiești (Romania)[24][Note 11] 5 November 1944[22]
—
—
Hermann Neuerburg Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[22] Leader of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 121[22][23] 8 February 1944[22]
—
—
Ernst Neufeld Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel[22] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Kradschützen-Bataillon 40[23][Note 12] 3 January 1943[22]
—
—
Karl Neufellner Heer 17-HOberst[22] Commander of Artillerie-Regiment 86[22][23] 6 April 1944[22]
—
—
Georg Neuffer Luftwaffe 18-LGeneralmajor[22] Commander of the 20. Flak-Division (motorized)[23][Note 13] 1 August 1943[22]
—
Georg von Neufville Heer 17-HOberst zur Verwendung (for disposition)[25] Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 195[23][25] 22 September 1941[25]
—
—
[Dr.]Walter Neugebauer[Note 14] Heer 13-HOberleutnant[25] Leader of the 12./Artillerie-Regiment 12[23][25] 16 October 1944[25]
—
—
Josef Neuhierl Heer 06-HUnteroffizier[25] Group leader of the 8./Grenadier-Regiment 3[23][25] 17 March 1945[25]
—
—
Hermann Neuhoff Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[25] Staffelführer in the III./Jagdgeschwader 53[23][Note 15] 16 June 1942[Note 15]
—
—
Karl Neuhoff Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[25] Shock troops leader in the 6./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3[23][25] 9 June 1944[25]
—
—
Ferdinand Neuling Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant[25] Commander of the 239. Infanterie-Division[23][25] 28 February 1942[25]
—
—
Eggert Neumann Waffen-SS 15-WSS-Sturmbannführer of the Reserves[25] Commander of SS-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7 "Prinz Eugen"[23][Note 16] 3 November 1944[25]
—
—
Ernst Neumann Heer 14-HHauptmann[Note 17] Leader of Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon XII./999[23][25] 20 April 1945[25]
—
—
Friedrich-Wilhelm Neumann Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant[25] Commander of the 712. Infanterie-Division[23][25] 16 October 1944[25]
—
—
Dr. med. Heinrich Neumann[Note 18] Luftwaffe 15-LOberstabsarzt[25] Troop doctor of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment[23][Note 19] 21 August 1941[25]
—
Helmut Neumann Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[25] Staffelführer of the 14./Jagdgeschwader 5[23][25] 12 March 1945[25]
—
—
Joachim Neumann Heer 15-HMajor[25] Commander of the I./Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 103[23][25] 23 February 1944[25]
—
—
Johannes Neumann Heer 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[26] Chief of the 8./Grenadier-Regiment 852[23][26] 17 September 1944[26]
—
—
Jürgen Neumann Heer 13-HOberleutnant[26] Chief of the 1./Infanterie-Regiment 5 (motorized)[23][Note 20] 1 November 1941[26]
—
—
Klaus Neumann Luftwaffe 09-LFeldwebel[26] Pilot in the 16./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[23][Note 21] 9 December 1944[Note 21]
—
—
Otto-Karl Neumann Heer 12-HLeutnant[Note 22] Leader of the 6./Artillerie-Regiment 126[23][26] 5 April 1945*[26] Killed in action 22 February 1945[23]
—
Rudolf Neumann Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[26] Staffelkapitän of the 2./Schlachtgeschwader 1[26][27] 17 April 1945[26]
—
—
Werner Neumann Heer 17-HOberst[26] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 121[26][27] 5 September 1944[26]
—
—
Walter Neumann-Silkow Heer 17-HOberst[26] Commander of the 8. Schützen-Brigade[26][27] 5 August 1940[26]
—
—
Hans Neumayer Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[26] Chief of the 12.(MG)/Grenadier-Regiment 282[27][Note 23] 20 January 1944[26]
—
—
Lorenz Neumayr Heer 03-HGefreiter[26] Machine gunner in the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 755[26][27] 14 January 1945[26]
—
—
Hans Neumeier Heer 09-HFeldwebel[26] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 64[26][27] 6 April 1944[26]
—
—
Karl Neumeister Heer 17-HOberst[26] Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1[26][27] 4 June 1944[26]
—
—
Werner Neumeyer Heer 12-HLeutnant[26] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26[26][27] 23 October 1944[26]
—
—
Ernst Neumüller Heer 13-HOberleutnant[28] Leader of the 14.(Panzerjäger)/Divisions-Kampfgruppe 216[27][Note 24] 5 October 1944[28]
—
—
Fritz Neumüller Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[28] Pilot and adjutand in the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77[27][28] 4 May 1944[28]
—
—
Lothar Neunhoeffer Heer 15-HMajor[28] Commander of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 292[27][28] 3 January 1944[28]
—
—
Kurt Nibbe Heer 10-HOberfähnrich[28] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Pionier-Bataillon 20[27][28] 17 March 1945[28]
—
—
Heinrich Nickel+ Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[28] Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 26[27][28] 16 June 1940[28] Awarded 543rd Oak Leaves 8 August 1944[28]
—
Karl Nicolussi-Leck Waffen-SS 13-WSS-Obersturmführer[28] Chief of the 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"[27][Note 25] 9 April 1944[28]
—
—
Horst Niederländer+ Heer 14-HHauptmann[28] Leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 686[27][28] 10 February 1943[28] Awarded 491st Oak Leaves 9 June 1944[28]
—
Heinrich Niedermeier Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[28] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon 94[27][28] 11 December 1943*[28] Died of wounds 7 November 1943[27]
—
Hans Niedzwetzki Heer 09-HFeldwebel[28] Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 23[27][28] 22 August 1943[28]
—
—
Roman Niedzwitzki Heer 06-HUnteroffizier of the Reserves[Note 26] Vorgeschobener Beobachter (forward observer) in the 12./Artillerie-Regiment 290[27][28] 28 April 1945[28]
—
—
Karl Niegsch Heer 15-HMajor of the Reserves[28] Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 223[27][Note 27] 30 April 1945[28]
—
—
Hermann Niehoff+ Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant[29] Commander of the 371. Infanterie-Division[27][29] 15 June 1944[29] Awarded 764th Oak Leaves 5 March 1945[29]
(147th) Swords 26 April 1945?[Note 28]
—
[Dr.] Heinz Niehuus[Note 14] Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[29] Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 77[27][29] 17 April 1945[29]
—
—
Albert Nielsen Heer 10-HOberwachtmeister[29] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 58[27][Note 29] 17 March 1945[29]
—
—
Horst Niemack+ Heer 14-HRittmeister[29] Commander of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5[27][29] 13 July 1940[29] Awarded 30th Oak Leaves 10 August 1941
69th Swords 4 June 1944[29]
August Niemann Heer 09-HFeldwebel[29] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Pionier-Bataillon 112[29][30] 4 May 1944[29]
—
—
Eduard Niemann Heer 17-HOberst of the Reserves[29] Commander of Artillerie-Regiment 212[29][30] 29 February 1944[29]
—
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Heinrich Niemann Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[29] Leader of the 3./Pionier-Bataillon 196[29][30] 30 April 1943[29]
—
—
Willi Niemann Heer 06-HUnteroffizier[29] Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 9./Artillerie-Regiment 31[29][30] 26 December 1944[29]
—
—
Gerhard Niemeck Heer 09-HFeldwebel[29] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 8./Panzer-Regiment 31[29][30] 14 March 1943[29]
—
—
Ernst Niemeier Heer 09-HFeldwebel[29] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the II./Grenadier-Regiment 431[29][30] 18 February 1945[29]
—
—
Josef Niemietz Heer 10-HHauptfeldwebel[29] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stab 3.(Fla)/Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 332[29][30] 24 July 1943[29]
—
Peter Nießen Heer 12-HLeutnant[29] Aide-de-camp in Grenadier-Regiment 979[29][30] 9 January 1945[29]
—
—
Georg Nietert Heer 06-HUnteroffizier[31] Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 14./Grenadier-Regiment 994[30][31] 10 February 1945[31]
—
—
Heinrich Nietsche Heer 14-HHauptmann[31] Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 105[30][31] 13 June 1941[31]
—
—
Wilhelm Niggemeyer+ Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[31] Leader of the 2./Pionier-Bataillon 26[30][31] 18 September 1942[31] Awarded 241st Oak Leaves 17 May 1943[31]
—
Hans Nilshon Heer 15-HMajor[31] Commander of the III./Artillerie-Regiment 26[30][31] 28 March 1945[31]
—
—
Erhard Nippa Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[31] Pilot in the 15./Schnellkampfgeschwader 10[30][31] 26 March 1944[31]
—
—
Kurt Nippes Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[31] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 276[30][31] 29 January 1944*[31] Killed in action 10 December 1943[30]
—
Alfred Nitsch Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[31] Pilot in the 2.(F)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 123[30][Note 30] 21 June 1943[31]
—
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Hans-Joachim Nitsch Heer 12-HLeutnant[31] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Panzer-Abteilung 118[30][Note 31] 23 March 1945[31]
—
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Hermann Nitsch Heer 04-HObergefreiter[31] Vorgeschobener Beobachter (forward observer) and radio/wireless operator in the 6./Artillerie-Regiment 11[30][31] 17 April 1945[31]
—
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Martin Nitsch Heer 13-HOberleutnant[31] Leader of the 6./Grenadier-Regiment 417[30][31] 30 September 1944*[31] Killed in action 19 September 1944[30]
—
Robert Nittler Heer 12-HLeutnant[Note 32] Leader of the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 212[30][31] 20 January 1943[31]
—
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Karl Noack Heer 13-HOberleutnant[32] Chief of the 1.(Reiter)/Divisions-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 168[30][Note 33] 24 April 1943[32]
—
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Karl-Heinz Noak+ Heer 12-HLeutnant[32] Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 2./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 46[30][32] 5 August 1940[32] Awarded 63rd Oak Leaves 16 January 1942[32]
—
Ernst Nobis+ Heer 14-HHauptmann[32] Commander of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 204[30][32] 21 January 1942[32] Awarded 151st Oak Leaves 5 December 1942[32]
—
Klaus Nocken Luftwaffe 15-LMajor[32] Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Kampfgeschwader 26[30][32] 29 October 1943[32]
—
—
Kurt Nöbel Heer 04-HObergefreiter[32] Group leader in the 1.(Reiter)/Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7[30][Note 34] 30 November 1943[32]
—
—
Friedrich-Karl Nökel Heer 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[32] Leader of the II./Panzer-Regiment 31[32][33] 17 September 1944[32]
—
—
Ferdinand Noeldechen Heer 18-HGeneralmajor[32] Commander of the 96. Infanterie-Division[32][33] 8 June 1943[32]
—
—
Cornelius Noëll Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[32] Pilot in the 4.(F)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe des OB der Luftwaffe[32][33] 22 October 1941[32]
—
—
Herbert Nölter Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[32] Staffelkapitän of the 2./Kampfgeschwader 3 "Lützow"[32][33] 5 September 1944[32]
—
—
Klaus Nöske Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann[32] Staffelkapitän of the 1./Kampfgeschwader 4 "General Wever"[32][33] 16 May 1941[32]
—
—
Karl Nohr?[Note 35] Heer 06-HUnteroffizier Group leader in the Stabskompanie/Grenadier-Regiment 453[33] 9 May 1945
—
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Wilhelm Noller Luftwaffe 09-LFahnenjunker-Feldwebel[32] Pilot in the 2./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[33][Note 36] 6 April 1944[32]
—
—
Harro Nolte Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[34] Leader of the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 507[33][34] 4 October 1944[34]
—
—
Kurt Nolte Heer 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[34] Commander of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 213[33][34] 6 September 1942[34]
—
—
Walter Nolte Heer 14-HHauptmann[34] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment "Jütland"[33][Note 37] 5 April 1945[34]
—
—
Karl-Gottfried Nordmann+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant[34] Staffelkapitän of the 12./Jagdgeschwader 51[33][34] 1 August 1941[34] Awarded 35th Oak Leaves 16 September 1941[34]
Theodor Nordmann+ Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[34] Pilot in the 8./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[33][34] 17 September 1941[34] Awarded 214th Oak Leaves 17 March 1943
98th Swords 17 September 1944[Note 38]
—
Otto Nordt Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant[34] Chief of the 14. Räumbootflottille[33][34] 6 September 1944[34]
—
—
Helmut Normann Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[34] Leader of the 1./Jäger-Regiment 83[33][34] 23 February 1944[34]
—
—
Jakob Norz Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel[34] Pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 5[33][Note 39] 26 March 1944[34]
—
—
Rainer Nossek Luftwaffe 09-LFahnenjunker-Feldwebel[34] Pilot in the 10.(Panzer)/Schlachtgeschwader 3[33][34] 29 October 1944[34]
—
—
Gustav-Adolf von Nostitz-Wallwitz Heer 17-HOberst[34] Commander of Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 89[33][34] 12 June 1944[34]
—
—
Jürgen von Nottbeck Heer 14-HHauptmann[34] Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 94[33][34] 21 January 1945[34]
—
—
Friedrich-Wilhelm von Notz Heer 16-HOberstleutnant[35] Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 1233[33][35] 23 March 1945[35]
—
—
Alfred Nowak Waffen-SS 09-WSS-Oberscharführer of the Reserves[35] Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 3./SS-Reiter-Regiment 1 "Florian Geyer"[33][Note 40] 1 November 1943*[35] Killed in action 13 September 1943[33]
—
Günther Nowak![Note 41] Hitlerjugend 00-HHitlerjunge Hitlerjunge in Hindenburg (Upper Silesia) 14 February 1945
—
—
Paul Nowak Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[35] Leader of the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 273[35][37] 10 September 1944[35]
—
—
Heinz Nowotnik Waffen-SS 12-WSS-Untersturmführer of the Reserves[35] Leader of the 14.(MG)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[37][Note 42] 14 May 1944[35]
—
—
Karl Nowotnik Heer 09-HSanitätsfeldwebel[35] In the Stab/Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 212[35][37] 15 March 1944[35]
—
—
Walter Nowotny+ Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant[35] Pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 54[38][Note 43] 4 September 1942[35] Awarded 293rd Oak Leaves 4 September 1943
37th Swords 22 September 1943
8th Diamonds 19 October 1943[35]
Gregor Nowowieski Heer 14-HHauptmann[35] Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 695[35][37] 28 December 1944[35]
—
—
Alfred Nuckelt Heer 15-HMajor[35] Commander in the Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 218[35][37] 10 September 1944[35]
—
—
Erich Nürnberger Heer 09-HFeldwebel[35] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 12./Infanterie-Regiment 410[35][37] 4 December 1942[35]
—
—
Carlos Nugent Luftwaffe 10-LFahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel[35] Radio operator in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2[35][37] 17 April 1945[35]
—
—
Harald Nugiseks Waffen-SS 06-WWaffen-Unterscharführer[Note 44] Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Regiment 46 (estn. Nr. 2)[35][38] 9 April 1944[35]
—
Heinrich Nuhn?[Note 45] Heer 14-HHauptmann Commander of Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon in the Führer-Grenadier-Division[37] 9 April 1945
—
—
Hans Nuhr?[Note 46] Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel Pilot in Schnellkampfgeschwader 210[37] 22 March 1944
—
—

Notes

  1. ^ Großadmiral and President of Germany Karl Dönitz, Hitler's successor as Head of State (Staatsoberhaupt) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had ordered the cessation of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945 (Dönitz-decree). Consequently the last Knight's Cross awarded to Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Georg-Wolfgang Feller on 17 June 1945 must therefore be considered a de facto but not de jure hand-out.[2]
  2. ^ For an explanation of the various naming schemes used by the Luftwaffe, Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS refer to nomenclature used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
  3. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment-Gruppe 163 in Divisions-Gruppe 52.[16]
  4. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 172.[17]
  5. ^ According to Scherzer on 24 June 1941.[17]
  6. ^ According to Scherzer as Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 4./Flak-Regiment 23.[21]
  7. ^ According to Scherzer as observer in the Aufklärungsstaffel 3.(F)/122.[21]
  8. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 52.[21]
  9. ^ According to Scherzer on 24 June 1941.[22]
  10. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of schweres Ski-Bataillon 1.[22]
  11. ^ According to Scherzer as leader of a Kampfgruppe from emergency units composed of all Wehrmacht branches in Ploiești/Romania.[22]
  12. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Kradschützen-Abteilung 4.[22]
  13. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of the 20. Flak-Division.[22]
  14. ^ a b 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.
  15. ^ a b According to Scher on 19 June 1942 as Staffelführer of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 53.[25]
  16. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of SS-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7.[25]
  17. ^ According to Scherzer as Hauptmann of the Reserves.[25]
  18. ^ In German a Doctor of Medicine is abbreviated as Dr. med. (Doctor medicinae).
  19. ^ According to Scherzer as regimental doctor of Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1 at the same time leader of the I./ Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1.[25]
  20. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the 1./Schüzen-Regiment 5.[26]
  21. ^ a b According to Scherzer on 25 November 1944 as pilot in the 16.(Sturm)/Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet".[26]
  22. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[26]
  23. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the 12./Grenadier-Regiment 282.[26]
  24. ^ According to Scherzer as leader of the 14./Divisions-Gruppe 216.[28]
  25. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5.[28]
  26. ^ According to Scherzer as Unteroffizier.[28]
  27. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 223 (fortress La Rochelle).[28]
  28. ^ No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) only assumes that the Swords were awarded. According to Hermann Niehoff's testimony he was nominated by Gauleiter Karl Hanke. The date and sequential number "147" were assigned by the AKCR. Niehoff was member of the AKCR.[6]
  29. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 58.[29]
  30. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 2.(F)/123.[31]
  31. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Panzer-Abteilung 118.[31]
  32. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[31]
  33. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the Reiter-Schwadron 168.[32]
  34. ^ According to Scherzer as group leader in the 1./Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7.[32]
  35. ^ Karl Nohr's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 3 April 1945. The HPA created a nomination request with the number 5018 and forwarded this request on 7 April. This was also noted on the file card. No further remarks or comments have been noted. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the presentation was made 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.[6]
  36. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann".[32]
  37. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment "Jütland" (32. Infanterie-Division).[34]
  38. ^ According to Scherzer the 214th Oak Leaves were awarded on 16 March 1943.[34]
  39. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 5.[34]
  40. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 3./SS-Reiter-Regiment 1.[35]
  41. ^ Günther Nowak was a non existing person who became a de jure recipient of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.[36]
  42. ^ According to Scherzer as leader of the 14./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler".[35]
  43. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 54.[35]
  44. ^ According to Scherzer as Waffen-Untersturmführer.[35]
  45. ^ Heinrich Nuhn's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 April 1945 as teleprinter message. The HPA did not create a nomination request nor is Nuhn listed in the book of "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses). No further remarks or comments have been noted. The registry of rejected or deferred nominations contains his file card. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the presentation was made 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.[6]
  46. ^ The addendum of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (in German), contains a note indicating that Hans Nuhr needs to be struck from the list.[39]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 4.
  3. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
  4. ^ Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
  5. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 321–327.
  6. ^ a b c d Scherzer 2007, p. 161.
  7. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  10. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  11. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
  12. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 327–331.
  13. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 49–51.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i Scherzer 2007, p. 561.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Fellgiebel 2000, p. 321.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj Scherzer 2007, p. 562.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Scherzer 2007, p. 563.
  18. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 321, 498.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Fellgiebel 2000, p. 322.
  20. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 322, 498.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Scherzer 2007, p. 564.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Scherzer 2007, p. 565.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Fellgiebel 2000, p. 323.
  24. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 323, 499.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Scherzer 2007, p. 566.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Scherzer 2007, p. 567.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Fellgiebel 2000, p. 324.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Scherzer 2007, p. 568.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Scherzer 2007, p. 569.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Fellgiebel 2000, p. 325.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Scherzer 2007, p. 570.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Scherzer 2007, p. 571.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Fellgiebel 2000, p. 326.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Scherzer 2007, p. 572.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Scherzer 2007, p. 573.
  36. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 511.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i Fellgiebel 2000, p. 327.
  38. ^ a b Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 327, 499.
  39. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 499.

Bibliography

  • 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. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • 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. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6.