Günter Goebel
Encyclopedia
Günter Goebel was an Officer
in the German
Wehrmacht
and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
during World War II
.
Goebel’s 79th Infantry Division (Germany)
was part of the 6th Army (Germany) during the invasion of the Soviet Union. In October 1941 he was awarded the Knight's Cross for his part in leading an advance battalion when a supply route to Soviet forces was captured. In 1941 he was also entered into the Honour Roll of the German Army.
He is also known for the command of the Kampfgruppe Goebel assault on Stalingrad
built up in end of November 1942 around Nishij and Tschiskaja from 3000 servicemen. With the following radio message, they got known in the staff of the 6th Army: "Battle-group Captain Goebel with 3000 men holds the Don-River bridge at (Werchne) Chir(skaya). Keep the head up, as we do". He held, together with his Kampfgruppe, an important bridgehead for weeks. Later on he became the 180th recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
for this bravery.
In 1945, two days after signing the unconditional surrender documents for all German forces, he was taken into Soviet captivity on 11 May 1945. He was in Soviet captivity for more than 10 years in different Soviet labor camps for Forced labor of Germans in the Soviet Union
. On 9 October 1955 he was released thanks to Konrad Adenauer
and his successful negotiations about the release of last World War II
prisoners to Germany.
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
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...
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...
.
Goebel’s 79th Infantry Division (Germany)
79th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 79th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the German Wehrmacht during World War II.- Creation and Early History :...
was part of the 6th Army (Germany) during the invasion of the Soviet Union. In October 1941 he was awarded the Knight's Cross for his part in leading an advance battalion when a supply route to Soviet forces was captured. In 1941 he was also entered into the Honour Roll of the German Army.
He is also known for the command of the Kampfgruppe Goebel assault on Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
built up in end of November 1942 around Nishij and Tschiskaja from 3000 servicemen. With the following radio message, they got known in the staff of the 6th Army: "Battle-group Captain Goebel with 3000 men holds the Don-River bridge at (Werchne) Chir(skaya). Keep the head up, as we do". He held, together with his Kampfgruppe, an important bridgehead for weeks. Later on he became the 180th recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
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...
for this bravery.
In 1945, two days after signing the unconditional surrender documents for all German forces, he was taken into Soviet captivity on 11 May 1945. He was in Soviet captivity for more than 10 years in different Soviet labor camps for Forced labor of Germans in the Soviet Union
Forced labor of Germans in the Soviet Union
Forced labor of Germans in the Soviet Union was considered by the Soviet Union to be part of German war reparations for the damage inflicted by Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union during World War II. German civilians in Eastern Europe were deported to the USSR after World War II as forced laborers...
. On 9 October 1955 he was released thanks to Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer was a German statesman. He was the chancellor of the West Germany from 1949 to 1963. He is widely recognised as a person who led his country from the ruins of World War II to a powerful and prosperous nation that had forged close relations with old enemies France,...
and his successful negotiations about the release of last 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...
prisoners to Germany.
Awards
- 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 (November 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....
1st Class (June 1940) - Honour Roll Clasp of the ArmyHonour Roll Clasp of the ArmyThe Honour Roll Clasp of the Army or Ehrenblatt des Heeres was a Decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. The total number awarded was 4,556. -History:...
(6 November 1941) - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe 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...
- Knight's Cross on 18 October 1941 as OberleutnantOberleutnantOberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
and Adjudant of Infanterie-Regiment 208 - 180th Oak Leaves on 18 January 1943 as HauptmannHauptmannHauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
and leader of a KampfgruppeKampfgruppeIn military history and military slang, the German term Kampfgruppe can refer to a combat formation of any kind, but most usually to that employed by the German Wehrmacht and its allies during World War II and, to a lesser extent, in World War I...
with the AOK 6
- Knight's Cross on 18 October 1941 as Oberleutnant
- Close Combat ClaspClose Combat ClaspThe Close Combat Clasp is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket...
Silver Class (April 1944)