Wolfgang Röhder
| Wolfgang Röhder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
17 August 1911 Wuppertal, Germany |
| Died |
16 May 1945 (aged 33) Missing in Action, Prague |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1933–45 |
| Rank | Sturmbannführer (Major) |
| Unit | 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross German Cross in Gold Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Wound Badge in Black |
Wolfgang Röhder (17 August 1911 – 16 May 1945) 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.[1] He volunteered to join the SS (Service number 281 654) and was posted to the Das Reich Division.[1]
In February 1943 he was the commander of the 2nd Battery, 2nd SS Sturmgeschütz (Assault Gun, StuG) Battalion.[1]
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.[1]
For this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in January 1944.[2]
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.[1]
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.[1]
References
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (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.
- Henschler, Henri; Fey, Willi (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2905-5.
- Mattson, Gregory SS-The realm. The History of the Second SS division, 1939-45. Staplehurst 2002, ISBN 1-86227-144-5
- Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7.