Theodor Kretschmer
Theodor Kretschmer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 November 1901 Burghaun, German Empire |
| Died | 5 December 1986 (aged 85) Schlitz, West Germany |
| Allegiance |  Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Army |
| Years of service | 1919–45 |
| Rank | Generalmajor |
| Commands held | 16th Panzer Division 17th Panzer Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Theodor Kretschmer (26 November 1901 – 5 December 1986) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Military career[]
Kretschmer joined the German Army in 1919 and was commissioned in 1924. After a number of staff positions he briefly became commander of the 16th Panzer-Division in late 1944 before taking over as the commander of the 17th Panzer Division on 1 February 1945. Kretschmer was promoted to Major General on 1 April 1945. He surrendered his division on 11 May 1945 east of Prague. Convicted in the Soviet Union as a war criminal, he was held until 1955.[1]
Awards and decorations[]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 March 1945 as Oberst and commander of 17. Panzer-Division[2]
References[]
Citations[]
Bibliography[]
- (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.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2000). The Panzer Legions. United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3353-3.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
Categories:
- 1901 births
- 1986 deaths
- People from Fulda (district)
- People from Hesse-Nassau
- Major generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht)
- Recipients of the Gold German Cross
- Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- German prisoners of war in World War II held by the Soviet Union