Erich Grätz
| Erich Grätz | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 August 1909 Neusalz, Germany |
| Died | Fate Unknown |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1933–45 |
| Rank | Sturmbannführer |
| Unit | 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler |
| Commands held | 1st Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class German Cross in Gold |
Erich Grätz (14 August 1909 — Fate Unknown ) was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He was born on the 14 August 1909 in Neusalz on the Oder, Niederschlesien. On joining the SS he was issued the service number 247 883 and was posted to the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and rose to command the 18. (Panzerjägerkompanie)/ 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment.
He was awarded the Knights Cross for the following action:
"...On 5 March 1944, all hell broke loose [in Manatschin, Ukraine]...At the height of the fighting, our old comrade SS-Hauptstürmführer Grätz (the Chef of the 18. [Panzerjäger]/Panzergrenadierregiment 1) showed up. At that time, he was serving as part of the officer reserve. He had pulled together the men of the Bäckerei Kompanie and retreating soldiers from other units to form a fighting force. Supported by only two broken-down Panzers stuck in Manatschin, Hauptstürmführer Grätz was able not only to repulse the attack, but to lead his "Kampfgruppe Grätz" in a counterattack. They prevented the Russians from making a further advance across the march route to the south. For his actions, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz."[1]
Awards
- 1939 Iron Cross 2nd class
- 1940 Iron Cross 1st class
- German Cross in Gold on 20 September 1943 as SS-Hauptsturmführer in the 18.(Panzerjäger)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[2]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 May 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer and chief of the 18.(Panzerjäger)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[3]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- 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.