Hans Gotthard Pestke

Updated on Nov 15, 2023

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Years of service 1935–45 1956–72 Service/branch German Army		Name Hans-Gotthard Pestke Rank Oberst
Born 17 June 1914 Preusisch-Stargard ( 1914-06-17 ) Allegiance Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany Commands held I./Grenadier-Regiment 176 Battles/wars World War II Battle of Belgium Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Siege of Leningrad Courland Pocket East Prussian Offensive Died April 30, 2001, Celle, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Battle of Belgium, Battle of France

Hans-Gotthard Pestke (17 June 1914 – 30 April 2001) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II. 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. Hans-Gotthard Pestke was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was released in 1947. In 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and served until 1972.

Awards and decorations

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class (14 October 1939)

1st Class (11 July 1940)

Wound Badge

in Black

in Silver

Eastern Front Medal

Infantry Assault Badge

Close Combat Clasp

in Bronze

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross on 15 November 1941 as Oberleutnant and chief of 3./Infanterie-Regiment 176

311th Oak Leaves on 14 October 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of I./Grenadier-Regiment 176

Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

References

Hans-Gotthard Pestke Wikipedia

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