Friedrich Herzig
Encyclopedia
Friedrich Herzig was a Sturmbannführer
(Major) in the Waffen SS during World War II
who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
during World War II
.
Friedrich started the war in the 3rd Company, SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 5, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking he was transferred to the Tiger tank
company of the SS Panzer Regiment 2, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich in February 1943.
Herzig was awarded the German Cross
in Gold in January 1945, while serving on the staff of SS Panzer Brigade Gross. The brigade was formed from elements of the SS Panzer Troop Training and Replacement Regiment at Dundaga
, Latvia, along with SS Panzer Troop Training Regiment "Seelager".
He then took over command of the 503 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion on the Eastern Front
during the withdrawal into Berlin
. He was one of the last persons to be awarded the Knight's Cross on 29 April 1945, when that afternoon one was awarded to Eugéne Vaulôt
who had personally destroyed eight tanks and Friedrich Herzig received the other. Two others received less prestigious awards for only knocking out five tanks each.
Herzig survived the war and died on the 23 January 1954.
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 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
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...
, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Friedrich started the war in the 3rd Company, SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 5, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking he was transferred to the Tiger tank
Tiger I
Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger. It was an answer to the unexpectedly formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of...
company of the SS Panzer Regiment 2, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich in February 1943.
Herzig was awarded the German Cross
German Cross
The 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 in January 1945, while serving on the staff of SS Panzer Brigade Gross. The brigade was formed from elements of the SS Panzer Troop Training and Replacement Regiment at Dundaga
Dundaga
Dundaga is a village in Courland, Latvia. From 2009 its an administrative centre of Dundaga municipality.Dundaga is famous for its castle from late 13th century, constructed by Archbishopric of Riga. From the 16th until the 20th century, Dundaga Castle was the centre of the largest private estate...
, Latvia, along with SS Panzer Troop Training Regiment "Seelager".
He then took over command of the 503 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
during the withdrawal into Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. He was one of the last persons to be awarded the Knight's Cross on 29 April 1945, when that afternoon one was awarded to Eugéne Vaulôt
Eugene Vaulot
Eugène Vaulot was a Frenchman with the rank of Unterscharführer in the Waffen SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Eugene Vaulot was born in Paris in 1923...
who had personally destroyed eight tanks and Friedrich Herzig received the other. Two others received less prestigious awards for only knocking out five tanks each.
Herzig survived the war and died on the 23 January 1954.