Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz
Encyclopedia
Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz (30 July 1893 – 25 April 1968) was a German
Army
officer. Strachwitz saw action in World War I
, but rose to fame for his command of armored forces in World War II
.
(present-day Kamień Śląski, a part of Gogolin
in Opole Voivodeship
). His family were members of the Silesian old nobility (Uradel
), and held large estates in Upper Silesia
, including the family Schloss
at Groß Stein. According to family tradition, being firstborn and heir to the title Graf (Count) Strachwitz, he was christened Hyazinth after the 12th century Saint Hyazinth
.
When he came of age, Strachwitz was sent to Berlin
to partake in a Prussia
n military education. After several years intense training and study, Strachwitz was admitted to the élite Gardes du Corps cavalry regiment. The Gardes had been established by Prussian King Frederick the Great in 1740, and was considered the most prestigious posting in the Imperial German Army
, it was even patroned by Emperor Wilhelm II.
Strachwitz continued his studies at the Lichterfelde Military Academy, placing an emphasis on sporting activities, particularly equestrian
, fencing
and track and field
athletics. Strachwitz excelled as a sportsman, and became a prospective candidate for the 1916 Olympic Games
. The outbreak of World War I destroyed this opportunity as Strachwitz, along with the rest of the Imperial Army, was mobilized and began the march west.
both II and I class for bravery in action. In late 1914, he led a raid behind the French lines. After a week of wreaking havoc in the enemy rear, Strachwitz was captured by the French. As he was wearing civilian clothing, he was sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted, and Strachwitz was interned in a Prisoner of War
camp in Southern France
.
After the German capitulation, Strachwitz was repatriated, but he returned home to a Germany rife with civil unrest. Fearing a Communist revolution, Strachwitz joined the Upper Silesian Freikorps
and was involved in several street battles against Communists and in the Silesian Uprisings
. Strachwitz also remained in the Army, now called the Reichswehr
. He served as a reserve officer in the German 7th Cavalry Regiment during the 1920 and early 1930s. In 1934, Strachwitz attended a demonstration of the new motorized and mechanized troops. He requested a transfer to the Panzer
arm (Armor Branch), and in 1935 was sent to Eisenach
to become a part of the still forming 2nd Panzer Regiment. The Regiment was to become the basis of the German 1st Panzer Division
. Strachwitz, by now promoted to a Major der Reserve
was to command the regiment's 1st Battalion.
. During this campaign, Strachwitz took part in the advance on Belgrade
, fighting alongside the Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland. In the early war campaigns, Strachwitz fought well and by May 1941 he had been promoted to the rank of Oberst der Reserve
.
When several new armoured divisions were formed for the launch of Operation Barbarossa
, Strachwitz was transferred with the 2nd Panzer Regiment and given command of the 1st Battalion, now part of the German 16th Panzer Division. On 22 June 1941, the German invasion of the Soviet Union was launched.
The 16th Panzer Division was ordered to reinforce a bridgehead over the Bug River
held by the division's motorcycle battalion, then currently under heavy counter-attack. Strachwitz's battalion had been equipped with submersible tanks, designed for the abandoned invasion of England. At 0430 on 22 June, the tanks of Strachwitz's battalion, under fire from the opposite bank, drove into the river. After completely submerging, the tanks emerged on the far bank, and began engaging the enemy, soon clearing the area and consolidating the bridgehead. Strachwitz, charging his Panzer III
ahead of his troops, engaged a Soviet supply convoy, destroying over three hundred soft-skinned vehicles and several Russian artillery batteries. Strachwitz was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
for his part in this action.
Throughout the campaign, Strachwitz showed an immense talent for commanding the panzers, so much so that his troops nicknamed him der Panzergraf (the Armored Count). The 16th Panzer Division next formed a part of Friedrich Paulus
' German Sixth Army
, which was encircled near Stalingrad in late 1942. By now, Strachwitz had been promoted to command of the entire 2nd Panzer Regiment. During one engagement on the northern flank of the Kessel, his unit destroyed 105 T-34
s. Soon after this, Strachwitz was seriously wounded and flown out of the encirclement. For his actions, he was awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross.
, fighting alongside SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser's
II SS Panzer Corps
. For his actions during these battles, Strachwitz was awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross. In November 1943, Strachwitz left the Großdeutschland on grounds of ill-health, although tension between him and the division's commander Walter Papa Hörnlein
is thought by many veterans to be the true reason for Strachwitz's departure.
After a month's sick leave, Strachwitz was recalled to active duty and promoted to Generalmajor der Reserve
, and was placed in command of the 1st Panzer Division, though for a short period only. During this time, Strachwitz was also given the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und General der SS
. Strachwitz had become a member of the NSDAP before the war (party membership number 1405562) and was also a member of the Allgemeine SS
(SS membership number 82857). Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler
typically gave high-profile people like Strachwitz high ranks in the SS for prestige and to keep these people in contact.
Brigade based at Bad Kudova. The Brigade, designated Panzerjäger-Brigade Oberschlesien was an ad-hoc formation of different units, and was, for the most part, poorly trained and equipped. As its designation suggested, the Brigade was tasked with defending Upper Silesia (Oberschlesien). Strachwitz commanded this formation in numerous desperate engagements, which destroyed hundreds of enemy tanks and vehicles. In April 1945, Strachwitz led his men in a successful breakout from a Russian encirclement in Czechoslovakia
to the U.S.
-held region of Bavaria
, where all surrendered to U.S. Army forces. During the war, Strachwitz had lost his younger son in combat on the eastern front, but his elder son, though gravely wounded, survived the war. He had also a daughter. Shortly after his surrender, his wife died in a car accident, but he remarried and had two sons and two daughters with his second wife.
After spending a short time as a prisoner of war, Strachwitz was offered a position as advisor to the Syrian Armed Forces
. He took this position, but the overthrow of the Royal Family in 1951 meant that Strachwitz had to flee back to West Germany
. He settled on an estate in Winkl/Grabenstätt in Bavaria, where he lived quietly until his death in April 1968. The Bundeswehr
provided an honour guard for his coffin, as a mark of respect. Der Panzergraf was laid to rest in the village of Grabenstätt
.
Graf Strachwitz is often credited with the German Cross in Gold awarded 29 May 1943; this however was awarded to his son, also named Hyazinth, who was serving in the 15th Panzer Regiment.
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...
Army
Heer
Heer is German for "army". Generally, its use as "army" is not restricted to any particular country, so "das britische Heer" would mean "the British army".However, more specifically it can refer to:*An army of Germany:...
officer. Strachwitz saw action in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, but rose to fame for his command of armored forces in 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...
.
Early life
Strachwitz was born in Groß Stein, SilesiaProvince of Silesia
The Province of Silesia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1815 to 1919.-Geography:The territory comprised the bulk of the former Bohemian crown land of Silesia and the County of Kladsko, which King Frederick the Great had conquered from the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy in the 18th...
(present-day Kamień Śląski, a part of Gogolin
Gmina Gogolin
Gmina Gogolin is an urban-rural gmina in Krapkowice County, Opole Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Its seat is the town of Gogolin, which lies approximately north-east of Krapkowice and south of the regional capital Opole....
in Opole Voivodeship
Opole Voivodeship
- Administrative division :Opole Voivodeship is divided into 12 counties : 1 city county and 11 land counties. These are further divided into 71 gminas.The counties are listed in the following table .- Economy :...
). His family were members of the Silesian old nobility (Uradel
Uradel
The German and Scandinavian term Uradel refers to nobility who can trace back their noble ancestry at least to the year 1400 and probably originates from leadership positions during the Migration Period.-Divisions of German nobility:Uradel : Nobility that originates from leadership positions held...
), and held large estates in Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
, including the family Schloss
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
at Groß Stein. According to family tradition, being firstborn and heir to the title Graf (Count) Strachwitz, he was christened Hyazinth after the 12th century Saint Hyazinth
Saint Hyacinth
Saint Hyacinth, O.P., was educated in Paris and Bologna. A Doctor of Sacred Studies and a secular priest, he worked to reform women's monasteries in his native Poland...
.
When he came of age, Strachwitz was sent to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
to partake in a Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n military education. After several years intense training and study, Strachwitz was admitted to the élite Gardes du Corps cavalry regiment. The Gardes had been established by Prussian King Frederick the Great in 1740, and was considered the most prestigious posting in the Imperial German Army
German Army (German Empire)
The German Army was the name given the combined land forces of the German Empire, also known as the National Army , Imperial Army or Imperial German Army. The term "Deutsches Heer" is also used for the modern German Army, the land component of the German Bundeswehr...
, it was even patroned by Emperor Wilhelm II.
Strachwitz continued his studies at the Lichterfelde Military Academy, placing an emphasis on sporting activities, particularly equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
, fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
and track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athletics. Strachwitz excelled as a sportsman, and became a prospective candidate for the 1916 Olympic Games
1916 Summer Olympics
The anticipated 1916 Summer Olympics, which were to be officially known as the Games of the VI Olympiad, were to have been held in Berlin, Germany. However, due to the outbreak of World War I, the games were cancelled.-History:...
. The outbreak of World War I destroyed this opportunity as Strachwitz, along with the rest of the Imperial Army, was mobilized and began the march west.
World War I – interwar period
In August 1914, Strachwitz was a Leutnant in the Garde. Only a few weeks into the campaign, Strachwitz had been awarded the Iron CrossIron Cross
The 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....
both II and I class for bravery in action. In late 1914, he led a raid behind the French lines. After a week of wreaking havoc in the enemy rear, Strachwitz was captured by the French. As he was wearing civilian clothing, he was sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted, and Strachwitz was interned in a Prisoner of War
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
camp in Southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
After the German capitulation, Strachwitz was repatriated, but he returned home to a Germany rife with civil unrest. Fearing a Communist revolution, Strachwitz joined the Upper Silesian Freikorps
Freikorps
Freikorps are German volunteer military or paramilitary units. The term was originally applied to voluntary armies formed in German lands from the middle of the 18th century onwards. Between World War I and World War II the term was also used for the paramilitary organizations that arose during...
and was involved in several street battles against Communists and in the Silesian Uprisings
Silesian Uprisings
The Silesian Uprisings were a series of three armed uprisings of the Poles and Polish Silesians of Upper Silesia, from 1919–1921, against German rule; the resistance hoped to break away from Germany in order to join the Second Polish Republic, which had been established in the wake of World War I...
. Strachwitz also remained in the Army, now called the Reichswehr
Reichswehr
The Reichswehr formed the military organisation of Germany from 1919 until 1935, when it was renamed the Wehrmacht ....
. He served as a reserve officer in the German 7th Cavalry Regiment during the 1920 and early 1930s. In 1934, Strachwitz attended a demonstration of the new motorized and mechanized troops. He requested a transfer to the Panzer
Panzer
A Panzer is a German language word that, when used as a noun, means "tank". When it is used as an adjective, it means either tank or "armoured" .- Etymology :...
arm (Armor Branch), and in 1935 was sent to Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
to become a part of the still forming 2nd Panzer Regiment. The Regiment was to become the basis of the German 1st Panzer Division
German 1st Panzer Division
The German 1st Panzer Division was an elite armoured division in the German Army during World War II. Its divisional insignia was a white oakleaf emblem.-History:...
. Strachwitz, by now promoted to a Major der Reserve
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
was to command the regiment's 1st Battalion.
Early World War II Career – der Panzergraf
After the outbreak of war in September 1939, Strachwitz served with the 1st Panzer Division throughout the campaigns in Poland and France and the Low Countries. Strachwitz next fought during Operation Marita, the campaign in the BalkansBalkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
. During this campaign, Strachwitz took part in the advance on Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, fighting alongside the Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland. In the early war campaigns, Strachwitz fought well and by May 1941 he had been promoted to the rank of Oberst der Reserve
Oberst
Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
.
When several new armoured divisions were formed for the launch of Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
, Strachwitz was transferred with the 2nd Panzer Regiment and given command of the 1st Battalion, now part of the German 16th Panzer Division. On 22 June 1941, the German invasion of the Soviet Union was launched.
The 16th Panzer Division was ordered to reinforce a bridgehead over the Bug River
Bug River
The Bug River is a left tributary of the Narew river flows from central Ukraine to the west, passing along the Ukraine-Polish and Polish-Belarusian border and into Poland, where it empties into the Narew river near Serock. The part between the lake and the Vistula River is sometimes referred to as...
held by the division's motorcycle battalion, then currently under heavy counter-attack. Strachwitz's battalion had been equipped with submersible tanks, designed for the abandoned invasion of England. At 0430 on 22 June, the tanks of Strachwitz's battalion, under fire from the opposite bank, drove into the river. After completely submerging, the tanks emerged on the far bank, and began engaging the enemy, soon clearing the area and consolidating the bridgehead. Strachwitz, charging his Panzer III
Panzer III
Panzer III was the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and was used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III translating as "armoured battle vehicle". It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and...
ahead of his troops, engaged a Soviet supply convoy, destroying over three hundred soft-skinned vehicles and several Russian artillery batteries. Strachwitz 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...
for his part in this action.
Throughout the campaign, Strachwitz showed an immense talent for commanding the panzers, so much so that his troops nicknamed him der Panzergraf (the Armored Count). The 16th Panzer Division next formed a part of Friedrich Paulus
Friedrich Paulus
Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus was an officer in the German military from 1910 to 1945. He attained the rank of Generalfeldmarschall during World War II, and is best known for having commanded the Sixth Army's assault on Stalingrad during Operation Blue in 1942...
' German Sixth Army
German Sixth Army
The 6th Army was a designation for German field armies which saw action in World War I and World War II. The 6th Army is best known for fighting in the Battle of Stalingrad, during which it became the first entire German field army to be completely destroyed...
, which was encircled near Stalingrad in late 1942. By now, Strachwitz had been promoted to command of the entire 2nd Panzer Regiment. During one engagement on the northern flank of the Kessel, his unit destroyed 105 T-34
T-34
The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank produced from 1940 to 1958. Although its armour and armament were surpassed by later tanks of the era, it has been often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential design of World War II...
s. Soon after this, Strachwitz was seriously wounded and flown out of the encirclement. For his actions, he was awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross.
Großdeutschland Panzer Regiment – promotion to General
In January 1943, Strachwitz was given command of Panzerregiment Großdeutschland of the Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland. He led the regiment when it took part in the Third Battle of KharkovThird Battle of Kharkov
The Third Battle of Kharkov was a series of offensive operations on the Eastern Front of World War II, undertaken by the German Army Group South against the Red Army, around the city of Kharkov , between 19 February and 15 March 1943...
, fighting alongside SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser's
Paul Hausser
Paul "Papa" Hausser was an officer in the German Army, achieving the high rank of lieutenant-general in the inter-war Reichswehr. After retirement from the regular Army he became the "father" of the Waffen-SS and one of its most eminent leaders...
II SS Panzer Corps
II SS Panzer Corps
The II SS Panzer Corps was a Nazi German Waffen-SS armoured corps which saw action on both the Eastern and Western Fronts during World War II.- Formation - Kharkov :...
. For his actions during these battles, Strachwitz was awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross. In November 1943, Strachwitz left the Großdeutschland on grounds of ill-health, although tension between him and the division's commander Walter Papa Hörnlein
Walter Hörnlein
Walter "Papa" Hörnlein was a General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients 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...
is thought by many veterans to be the true reason for Strachwitz's departure.
After a month's sick leave, Strachwitz was recalled to active duty and promoted to Generalmajor der Reserve
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
, and was placed in command of the 1st Panzer Division, though for a short period only. During this time, Strachwitz was also given the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und General der SS
Brigadeführer
SS-Brigadeführer was an SS rank that was used in Nazi Germany between the years of 1932 and 1945. Brigadeführer was also an SA rank....
. Strachwitz had become a member of the NSDAP before the war (party membership number 1405562) and was also a member of the Allgemeine SS
Allgemeine SS
The Allgemeine SS was the most numerous branch of the Schutzstaffel paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany. It was managed by the SS-Hauptamt...
(SS membership number 82857). Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was Reichsführer of the SS, a military commander, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. As Chief of the German Police and the Minister of the Interior from 1943, Himmler oversaw all internal and external police and security forces, including the Gestapo...
typically gave high-profile people like Strachwitz high ranks in the SS for prestige and to keep these people in contact.
Final battles – post-war career
In late 1944, Strachwitz was returned to active duty, despite the fact that he was still suffering badly from the near-fatal accident. He was promoted to Generalleutnant der Reserve in January 1945, and ordered to organise the formation of a PanzerjägerPanzerjäger
Panzerjäger was a branch of service of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War which were the anti-tank arm-of-service who operated anti-tank artillery, and made exclusive use of the tank destroyers which were also named Panzerjäger...
Brigade based at Bad Kudova. The Brigade, designated Panzerjäger-Brigade Oberschlesien was an ad-hoc formation of different units, and was, for the most part, poorly trained and equipped. As its designation suggested, the Brigade was tasked with defending Upper Silesia (Oberschlesien). Strachwitz commanded this formation in numerous desperate engagements, which destroyed hundreds of enemy tanks and vehicles. In April 1945, Strachwitz led his men in a successful breakout from a Russian encirclement in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-held region of Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, where all surrendered to U.S. Army forces. During the war, Strachwitz had lost his younger son in combat on the eastern front, but his elder son, though gravely wounded, survived the war. He had also a daughter. Shortly after his surrender, his wife died in a car accident, but he remarried and had two sons and two daughters with his second wife.
After spending a short time as a prisoner of war, Strachwitz was offered a position as advisor to the Syrian Armed Forces
Military of Syria
The Syrian Armed Forces are the military forces of Syria. They consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Force.-Manpower:The President of Syria is the commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, comprising some 646,500 troops upon mobilization. The military is a conscripted force;...
. He took this position, but the overthrow of the Royal Family in 1951 meant that Strachwitz had to flee back to West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
. He settled on an estate in Winkl/Grabenstätt in Bavaria, where he lived quietly until his death in April 1968. The Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
provided an honour guard for his coffin, as a mark of respect. Der Panzergraf was laid to rest in the village of Grabenstätt
Grabenstätt
Grabenstätt is a municipality in the district of Traunstein in Bavaria, Germany, famous for its friendly locals....
.
Awards
- Panzer BadgePanzer BadgeThe Panzer Badge was a German medal awarded to armour troops during World War II. It was introduced during World War II in December 1939 .- History :The Tank Combat Badge, or Panzer Badge, first existed in the German Army during World War I, and was later...
in Gold (4th Class) - Silesian EagleSilesian EagleThe Silesian Eagle was a medal awarded for fighting the Silesian Uprisings as part of the Freikorps Oberland under the Weimar Republic.Instituted on the 19 of June 1919 by VI...
1st Class with Swords and Oakleaves - Wound BadgeWound BadgeWound Badge was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Imperial German Army in World War I, the Reichswehr between the wars, and the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations during the Second World War. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied...
in Gold - German CrossGerman CrossThe 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 - 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 and 1st class - Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and DiamondsKnight'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 25 August 1941 as MajorMajor (Germany)Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
of the ReservesMilitary reserve forceA military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion...
and commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 2 - 144th Oak Leaves on 13 November 1942 as OberstleutnantOberstleutnantOberstleutnant is a German Army and Air Force rank equal to Lieutenant Colonel, above Major, and below Oberst.There are two paygrade associated to the rank of Oberstleutnant...
of the Reserves and commander of the I./Panzer-Regiment 2 - 27th Swords on 28 March 1943 as OberstOberstOberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
of the Reserves and commander of the Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" - 11th Diamonds on 15 April 1944 as Oberst of the Reserves and commander of a Panzer-Gruppe with the Heeresgruppe Nord
- Knight's Cross on 25 August 1941 as Major
- Mentioned in the WehrmachtberichtWehrmachtberichtThe Wehrmachtbericht was a daily radio report on the Großdeutscher Rundfunk of Nazi Germany, published by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht regarding the military situation on all fronts of World War II....
on 2 September 1944
Graf Strachwitz is often credited with the German Cross in Gold awarded 29 May 1943; this however was awarded to his son, also named Hyazinth, who was serving in the 15th Panzer Regiment.
External links
- Strachwitz, Hyazinth Graf von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz Lexikon-der-Wehrmacht German Language site.
- Count Hyazinth Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz - Achtung Panzer.com