Willi Thulke
Willi Thulke | |
---|---|
Born |
Gumbinnen |
22 September 1916
Died |
4 September 1998 Lippstadt |
(aged 81)
Allegiance |
Nazi Germany (to 1945) |
Service/branch | Heer |
Years of service |
1938–45 ?–1972 |
Rank |
Oberstleutnant (Wehrmacht) Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr) |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Willi Thulke (22 September 1916 – 4 September 1998) was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II and an Oberstleutnant in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Awards and decorations
-
Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (22 July 1941)
- 1st Class (17 December 1941)
-
Wound Badge
- in Black (?)
- Eastern Front Medal (?)
- Infantry Assault Badge (?)
-
Close Combat Clasp
- in Bronze (?)
-
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 7 January 1943 as Oberleutnant der reserve and Chef 6. / Grenadier-Regiment 501 [1]
- 424th Oak Leaves on 13 March 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve and I. / Grenadier-Regiment 501 [2]
While attending a regimental leadership training course his commanding officers had nominated Thulke for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords in December 1943 for his exceptional combat successes. This request was denied in February 1945.[3]
References
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Berger, Florian (1999). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges [With Oak Leaves and Swords. The Highest Decorated Soldiers of the Second World War] (in German). Vienna, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag.
External links
- World War 2 Awards.com
- Lexikon der Wehrmacht
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