Allegiance Nazi Germany Service/branch Luftwaffe Unit Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment | Name Gustav Altmann Rank Major | |
Born 13 April 1912
Britz, district of Eberswalde, Germany ( 1912-04-13 ) Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Fort Eben-Emael
Battle of Crete Died February 20, 1981, Reinhardshagen, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Battle of Fort Eben-Emael, Battle of Crete, World War II | ||
Gustav Altmann (13 April 1912 – 20 February 1981) was a member of the Fallschirmjager during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for his actions during the Battle of Fort Eben-Emael. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Altmann was taken prisoner of war on 22 May 1941 during the battle of the Akrotiri peninsula.
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Gustav Altmann was leader of Assault Group Steel (Sturmgruppe Stahl) of the Fallschirmjager-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch" during the opening phase of the Battle of France and the attack on Fort Eben-Emael. Assault Group Steel was tasked with taking the Belgian bridge at Veldwezelt and holding out until reinforcements arrived. Altmann led a group of 91 men crammed into 9 DFS 230 gliders in the assault. The attack succeeded at the cost of 8 dead, 16 heavily and 16 lightly wounded. Gustav Altmann and eleven other German officers of the Fallschirmjager received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for this feat.
Awards
Wehrmachtbericht reference
The daily Wehrmachtbericht (Wehrmacht propaganda report) noted the following: