Dietrich Kraiss

Updated on Oct 12, 2024

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Years of service 1909–44 Service/branch Army of Württemberg		Rank Generalleutnant Battles and wars World War I, World War II

Allegiance German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War I World War II Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died 6 August 1944, Saint-Lô, France Award Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Dietrich Kraiss (16 November 1889 – 6 August 1944) was a general in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Kraiss took command of the 168th Infantry Division in July 1941 and commanded the unit until March 1943. He then commanded 355th Infantry Division until May 1943. In November 1943 he took command of the 352nd Infantry Division which was in 1944, with six other divisions, located in Normandy in front of the Allied invasion. The division had 7,409 soldiers and kept defensive positions around St. Lô. Kraiss died on August 6, 1944 of injuries sustained 2 days earlier.

Awards and decorations

Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (18 September 1939) & 1st Class (3 October 1939)

German Cross in Gold on 28 February 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of the 168. Infanterie-Division

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross on 23 July 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of 168. Infanterie-Division

Oak Leaves on 11 August 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of 352. Infanterie-Division

Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (11 June 1944)

References

Dietrich Kraiss Wikipedia

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