Wolfgang Röhder
Encyclopedia
Wolfgang Röhder 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.
Wolfgang Röhder was born on the 17 August 1911 at Wuppertal.
He volunteered to join the SS (Service number 281 654) and was posted to the Das Reich Division.
In February 1943 he was the commander of the 2nd Battery, 2nd SS Sturmgeschütz
(Assault Gun, StuG) Battalion.
During September 1943 in the Raum
sector the division was under attack by the Russian's, Röhder's Battery was able to withdraw to defend the last bridge over the River Worskla, so the rest of the Division could pull back over it before it had to be blown up.
For this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Hauptsturmführer
(Captain) in January 1944.
In June 1944, during the Normandy
invasion he was given command of the Sturmgeschütz
Battalion, he was wounded in July 1944 and was awarded the German Cross
in Gold for bravery in August 1944 and promoted to Sturmbannführer
.
He was wounded for a second time losing an eye, and being no longer fit for front line duty he was stationed in Prague
, where he was reported missing on the 16 May 1945.
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
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
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 during World War II.
Wolfgang Röhder was born on the 17 August 1911 at Wuppertal.
He volunteered to join the SS (Service number 281 654) and was posted to the Das Reich Division.
In February 1943 he was the commander of the 2nd Battery, 2nd SS Sturmgeschütz
Sturmgeschütz
Sturmgeschütz is a German word for "assault gun", usually abbreviated StuG. The vehicle was a leading weapon of the Sturmartillerie, a branch of the German artillery tasked with close fire support of infantry in infantry, panzer, and panzergrenadier units...
(Assault Gun, StuG) Battalion.
During September 1943 in the Raum
Raum
In demonology, Raum is a Great Earl of Hell, ruling thirty legions of demons. He is depicted as a crow which adopts human form at the request of the conjurer....
sector the division was under attack by the Russian's, Röhder's Battery was able to withdraw to defend the last bridge over the River Worskla, so the rest of the Division could pull back over it before it had to be blown up.
For this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Hauptsturmführer
Hauptsturmführer
Hauptsturmführer was a Nazi rank of the SS which was used between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank of Hauptsturmführer was a mid-grade company level officer and was the equivalent of a Captain in the German Army and also the equivalent of captain in foreign armies...
(Captain) in January 1944.
In June 1944, during the Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
invasion he was given command of the Sturmgeschütz
Sturmgeschütz
Sturmgeschütz is a German word for "assault gun", usually abbreviated StuG. The vehicle was a leading weapon of the Sturmartillerie, a branch of the German artillery tasked with close fire support of infantry in infantry, panzer, and panzergrenadier units...
Battalion, he was wounded in July 1944 and 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 for bravery in August 1944 and promoted to Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
.
He was wounded for a second time losing an eye, and being no longer fit for front line duty he was stationed in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, where he was reported missing on the 16 May 1945.