Friedrich Holzer
| Friedrich Holzer | |
|---|---|
| Born |
13 May 1912 Waldweg, Austria |
| Died | 9 November 1984 (aged 72) |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1934–1945 |
| Rank | Obersturmbannführer |
| Unit | 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich |
| 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 Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze Close Combat Clasp in Gold [1] |
Friedrich Holzer (13 May 1912 – 9 November 1984) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel), in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. He was also one of 631 men to be awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold.
Friedrich Holzer was born in Waldweg in Austria on the 13 May 1912. In 1934 he volunteered to join the SS and was attached to the 11th Standarde until October 1936, when he joined Germania Regiment.[2]
He was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Braunschweig graduating in 1939, when he was posted as a platoon commander to the Der Führer Regiment in the 3rd Company.[2]
In 1941 he was given command of the 7th Company and was later made adjutant under Otto Kumm in January 1942.[1][2]
Holzer was awarded the German Cross in Gold for his bravery with Der Führer Regiment in action around Rzhev in February 1942.[1][2]
Holzer was transferred to the SS Division Das Reich 2nd SS Panzer Regiment at the end of 1942 and was given command of the 2nd Company.[1][2]
It was during his time in command of the 2nd Company that Holzer was awarded the Knight's Cross for his bravery at Nikolajewka.[1][2]
In 1944, Holzer was given command of the Panzer Reserve Regiment which became Panzer Regiment Holzer of the SS Panzer Brigade Westfalen where he remained until the end of the war.[2][3]
Holzer survived the war and died on the 9 November 1984.[1]
Notes
References
- Berger, Florian (2004). Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold [Knight's Cross Bearers with the Close Combat Clasp in Gold] (in German). Vienna, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 978-3-9501307-3-7.
- 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.
- Henschler, Henri; Fey, Willi (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2905-5.
- Kurowski, Franz (2005). Infantry Aces. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-3202-9.
- Mattson, Gregory Louis (2002). SS—Das Reich: The History of the Second SS division, 1939–45. Spellmount. ISBN 1-86227-144-5.
- Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7.
- 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.