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Gerhard Behnke

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Years of service
  
1928–45 1956–62

Service/branch
  
German Army

Name
  
Gerhard Behnke

Allegiance
  
Weimar Republic (to 1933)  Nazi Germany (to 1945)  West Germany

Commands held
  
Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203 Sturmgeschutz-Brigade 322

Battles/wars
  
World War II Invasion of Poland Operation Barbarossa Battle of Moscow Battle of the Caucasus Battle of Stalingrad

Died
  
May 9, 1962, Cologne, Germany

Awards
  
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Battles and wars
  
Invasion of Poland, Operation Barbarossa

Rank
  
Major (Wehrmacht), Oberst (Bundeswehr)

Gerhard Behnke One Man Show Youtube


Gerhard Wilhelm Behnke (23 December 1910 – 9 May 1962) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II and an Oberst 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. Behnke was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was released within the year. He later joined the Bundeswehr and served until his death in 1962.

Contents

Awards and decorations

  • Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (25 July 1941)
  • 1st Class (12 August 1941)
  • Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black (17 August 1941)
  • in Silver (15 September 1941)
  • in Gold (6 July 1943)
  • General Assault Badge (11 October 1941)
  • Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (15 October 1944)
  • Eastern Front Medal (5 September 1942)
  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 8 February 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203
  • 605th Oak Leaves on 4 October 1944 as Major and commander of Sturmgeschutz-Brigade 322
  • Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (27 August 1944)

    • References

    Gerhard Behnke Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA