Allegiance Nazi Germany Died January 15, 1993 | Name Gustav-Adolf Blancbois Rank Major | |
Born 23 September 1917
Stettin ( 1917-09-23 ) Commands held Kampfgruppe 1001 Nights Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Seelow Heights Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Battle of the Seelow Heights, World War II | ||
Gustav-Adolf Eugen Johannes Erich Blancbois (23 September 1917 – 15 January 1993) was a major in the Wehrmacht in World War II. He also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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World War II
During Operation Bagration in 1944, Blancbois led a kampfgruppe from the 12th Panzer Division that rescued 15-20,000 soldiers of the German Ninth Army who had been encircled near Bobruisk. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for this action, which was the only successful German relief operation during Bagration.
In March 1945, Blancbois was placed in command of the Kampfgruppe 1001 Nights, a mobile reserve force for Ninth Army. The kampfgruppe took part in the defenses of the Oder River line, in particular at the Battle of Seelow Heights. After taking heavy losses, it was dissolved near Muncheberg.
After the war
Blancbois survived the destruction of Kampfgruppe 1001 Nights. He, along with a few of his men, fled west and surrendered to the Western Allies. He died in Germany on 15 January 1993.