Erich Grätz
Encyclopedia
Erich Grätz 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 247 833 and was posted to the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
and rose to command the 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment.
Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
(Major) in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
.
He was born on the 14 August 1909 in Neusalz on the Oder, Niederschlesien.
On joining the SS he was issued the service number 247 833 and was posted to the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
The Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler was Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguard. Initially the size of a regiment, the LSSAH eventually grew into a divisional-sized unit...
and rose to command the 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment.
Awards
- 1939 Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
2nd class - 1940 Iron Cross 1st class
- 1943 German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold - 1944 Knight's CrossKnight's CrossKnight's Cross refers to a distinguishing grade or level of various orders that denotes bravery and leadership on the battlefield....