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

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

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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 1939–1945The 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 280 Knight's Cross recipients whose last name starts with "F".[5] Scherzer has challenged the validity of 12 of these listings.[6] Georg-Wolfgang Feller, a 13th doubted recipient, is listed by the AKCR. However, the AKCR itself challenges his listing.[2] 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

More information Service, Number of presentations ...

The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists, one for each of the three military branches, 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 280 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "F", 25 were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and three the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords; 21 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received 179 of the medals; 17 went to the Kriegsmarine, 65 to the Luftwaffe, and 19 to the Waffen-SS.[5]

  This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
  This along with an * (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 or formal correctness of the listing.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity or formal correctness of the listing.

More information Name, Service ...

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. Maximilian Fabich's nomination by the troop was submitted on 19 April 1945. There is no file card. The book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) contains an approval comment from Major Joachim Domaschk stating: "Knight's Cross yes". There are no further indications that the presentation was formally made. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) handled this case in 1973 and decided: "yes". The author Veit Scherzer was denied access to files, which could help clarify the case, of the AKCR on the grounds of the Bundesarchivgesetz (German Archive Law). 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 is an assumption of the AKCR. Fabich was a member of the AKCR.[14]
  4. According to Scherzer as chief of the 14./Grenadier-Regiment 521.[12]
  5. According to Scherzer as commander-in-chief of Gruppe XXI.[16]
  6. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5.(Panzer-Kompanie)/V./Grenadier-Regiment "Großdeutschland".[16]
  7. According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Kampfgeschwader 51.[16]
  8. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 14./Füsilier-Regiment 26.[16]
  9. According to Scherzer as chief of the 3./SS-Infanterie-Regiment (motorized) "Germania".[18]
  10. According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[18]
  11. According to Scherzer as machine gunner in the 3./Infanterie-Regiment 426.[18]
  12. According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Schlachtgeschwader 77.[18]
  13. Hermann Fegelein was sentenced to death by Hitler and executed by SS General Johann Rattenhuber's Reichssicherheitsdienst on 28 April 1945 after a court-martial led by SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke. The sentence was carried out the same day.[20] The death sentence resulted in the loss of all orders and honorary signs.[14]
  14. According to Scherzer as pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 1.(F)/122.[22]
  15. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves and missing in action since 24 October 1943.[22]
  16. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Heeres-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 241.[22]
  17. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves and pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 2.(F)/123.[23]
  18. Großadmiral Karl Dönitz had ordered a cease of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945. Nevertheless a number of Knight's Crosses were awarded after this date and must therefore be considered "illegal" hand-outs. The Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine General-Admiral Walter Warzecha, successor of General-Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, without authorization presented Georg-Wolfgang Feller the Knight's Cross on 17 June 1945.[2][24]
  19. 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.
  20. According to Scherzer as commander of the assault battalion/33. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1).[23]
  21. The presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Hans-Georg Fernau was made on 10 June 1945 and backdated by the Oberbefehlshaber Süd (German Army Command in the South), General der Kavillerie Siegfried Westphal, to the 1 May 1945. The German Federal Archives holds a copy of the presentation documentation. This is unlawful! The presentation date was later changed by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) to 4 May 1945. Fernau was a member of the AKCR.[24]
  22. Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger was arrested on 5 January 1945 for his absence from his command in June and December 1944. He was demoted to Kanonier and sentenced to death in January 1945. Kanonier Feuchtinger was sent to the front with the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division for probation on 2 March 1945. He deserted, hid in Celle, and was captured and taken prisoner of war in Hamburg by British forces in May 1945. The death sentence resulted in the permanent loss of all orders and honorary signs.[24]
  23. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves.[27]
  24. A lawful presentation via the chain of command to the chief of the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) Wilhelm Burgdorf in Berlin submitted nomination is possible. Also possible is a direct presentation by Adolf Hitler. However no evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. The author Veit Scherzer 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). Walther-Peer Fellgiebel wrote in a letter dated 31 August 1976: "...He (Willhelm Fey) after joining the Bundeswehr has request a court of honor against himself. Chairman was our companion recipient of the Oak Leaves former Oberst XXXX (name was made anonymous). This court of honor has accepted him without evidence". The order commission of the AKCR accepted this. Fellgiebel wrote: "...we don't want to claim that we are smarter than the Bundeswehr." Willhelm Fey was a member of the AKCR.[28]
  25. According to Scherzer as commander of the I.(Kradschützen)/SS-Schützen-Regiment "Langemarck".[27]
  26. According to Scherzer as adjutant of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann".[27]
  27. Heinz Fiebig's nomination by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) was ready for signature at the end of the war. 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 is an assumption of the AKCR.[29]
  28. According to Scherzer as pilot and observer in the 2./Nahaufklärungsgruppe 4.[31]
  29. According to Scherzer as group leader in Grenadier-Bataillon 2106.[32]
  30. According to Scherzer as adjutant of the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 40.[32]
  31. According to Scherzer as pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 6.(F)/122.[32]
  32. Alfred Fischer's nomination, according to a file card, was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 11 January 1945. The nomination, according to the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) and the note on the file card, had been rejected without specifying a date. A HPA nomination was not created. Fischer received the Honour Roll Clasp of the Army on 5 March 1945 which may have been a result of the rejected Knight's Cross nomination. The nomination by the troop is missing, which may be an indication that it had been forwarded to the Referat Vg (responsible for the Honour Roll Clasp listings). The presentation date is an assumption of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Krätschmer states the 9 May 1945.[29]
  33. According to Scherzer on 25 April 1941 as pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 1.(F)/121.[32]
  34. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Führer-Panzer-Regiment 1.[32]
  35. According to Scherzer as deputy Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./SS-Panzer-Jagd-Abteilung 5.[35]
  36. According to Scherzer on 7 April 1943 as Oberleutnant of the Reserves and battery chief in the 1./Flak-Regiment (motorized) 14.[35]
  37. According to Scherzer on 30 April 1945.[36]
  38. According to Scherzer as machine gunner in the 2./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 252.[39]
  39. According to Scherzer as I./Jagdgeschwader 51.[39]
  40. Rudol Fleischer's nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk approved the nomination but no Heerespersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA-VV— Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) was created and no further information was noted. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1983/1984 and decided "Knight's Cross yes, 13 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. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel later changed the presentation date to 9 May 1945. Fleischer was a member of the AKCR.[29]
  41. Paul Flocke's nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 March 1945. The next day it was forwarded to the Außenstelle (HPA/A—Branch of the Army Staff Office) for decision by the Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. It remained undecided by the end of the war. Further missing are the opinions of the Heeresgruppe G and Reichsführer SS.[41]
  42. Wilhelm Florschütz's nomination was received on 7 March 1945—according to the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) on 29 March 1945—by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office). Major Joachim Domaschk approved the nomination but decided "postponed!" noting Heeresgruppe B, so according to AHA Ziff. 275 (Allgemeines Heeresamt — General Army Office). A presentation was never made. 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.[44]
  43. According to Scherzer as leader of the II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5.[40]
  44. According to Scherzer as Hauptmann of the Reserves.[45]
  45. According to Scherzer as leader of Kampfgruppe "Derrer" in the 6. Armee.[45]
  46. According to Scherzer as Oberst of the Luftwaffentransportführer (air transport leader) II with Luftflotte 4.[45]
  47. According to Scherzer as pilot in the 2./Küstenflieger-Gruppe 806.[46]
  48. According to Scherzer died of wounds on 17 July 1943.[46]
  49. According to Scherzer as commander of Panzergrenadier-Brigade "von Werthern" Kampfgruppe made up of parts from the Führer-Begleit-Bataillon and Führer-Flak-Abteilung (Luftwaffe).[48]
  50. According to Scherzer as pilot in the 1./Nachtjagdgeschwader 100.[48]
  51. According to Scherzer as chief of the 1./Panzer-Jagd-Abteilung 15.[48]
  52. According to Scherzer as commander of the II./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 20.[48]
  53. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 2./schwere Heeres-Panzer-Jagd-Abteilung 666.[48]
  54. According to Scherzer correct name is Alois Albert Frankl who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in the 6./Wach-Regiment "Großdeutschland" in the fortress Berlin.[51]
  55. According to Scherzer as chief of the 16.(Sturmgeschütz)/Infanterie-Regiment (motorized) "Großdeutschland".[51]
  56. The 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.
  57. According to Scherzer on 23 July 1941.[53]
  58. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./SS-Panzer-Regiment 2.[53]
  59. According to Scherzer as commander of the 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (gal. Nr. 1).[55]
  60. According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1.[55]
  61. According to Scherzer as pilot in the II./Jagdgeschwader 77.[57]
  62. According to Scherzer as Vorgeschobener Beobachter (forward observer) in the 1./Artillerie-Regiment 1558.[57]
  63. According to Scherzer as leader of the 8. Panzer-Division.[57]
  64. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant in the Stab IV./Jagdgeschwader 3.[59]
  65. According to Scherzer as chief of the 9./Artillerie-Regiment 291 and killed in action on 30 August 1943.[60]
  66. No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. Presumably the award was presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich which would make it an unlawful presentation. The date 6 May 1945 was assumed by Fellgiebel. Von Seemen states the 3 May 1945. Kurt Fröhlich is not mentioned in Krätschmer's book "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS" (Knight's Cross Bearers of the Waffen-SS). The author Veit Scherzer 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).[44]
  67. According to Scherzer on 20 October 1943.[63]
  68. Friedrich Fromm, in connection with the 20 July plot, the failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was discharged from the Heer on 14 September 1944. The civilian Fromm was sentenced to death and considered unworthy for military duty by the Volksgerichtshof on 7 March 1945. The loss of his worthiness for military service led to an eternal loss of all honors, ranks and orders.[44]
  69. According to Scherzer on 5 July 1941 as commander of the I./Flak-Regiment (motorized) 33.[63]
  70. According to Scherzer as Leutnant zur Verwendung (for disposition).[63]
  71. According to Scherzer as leader of the II./SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 "De Ruyter".[64]
  72. According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 52.[64]
  73. According to Scherzer as commander of Artillerie-Regiment 221 (only staff) [since 5 April 1942 Stab/Afrika-Artillerie-Regiment 1].[64]
  74. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 6./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 (Gruppe Stein).[67]
  75. According to Scherzer as commander of Kampfgruppe "Fullriede" (Stab Panzergrenadier-Regiment 165) in the Panzer-AOK 5.[67]

References

Citations

  1. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
  2. Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
  3. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 176–189.
  4. Scherzer 2007, pp. 128–131.
  5. "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.
  6. "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.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
  9. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 177, 490.
  10. O'Donnell 1978, pp. 182, 183, 215.
  11. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 178, 490.
  12. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 179, 490.
  13. Scherzer 2007, pp. 129–130.
  14. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 180, 490.
  15. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 182, 490.
  16. Scherzer 2007, pp. 130–131.
  17. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 183, 490.
  18. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 184, 491.
  19. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 185, 491.
  20. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 186, 491.
  21. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 187, 491.
  22. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 189, 491.

Bibliography

  • 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. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • O'Donnell, James Preston (1978). The Bunker: The History of the Reich Chancellery Group. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0-395-25719-7.
  • 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.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6.

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