Allegiance Nazi Germany Rank Unteroffizier Died June 5, 1942, Russia | Years of service 1938–42 Name Hubert Brinkforth Service/branch German Army | |
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Unit 14.(Panzerjager)/Infanterie-Regiment 25 Battles/wars World War II
Invasion of Poland
Battle of France
Operation Barbarossa
Battle of Bialystok–Minsk
Battle of Smolensk (1941)
Siege of Leningrad Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Invasion of Poland, Battle of France | ||
Hubert Brinkforth (15 April 1916 – 5 June 1942) was a highly decorated Unteroffizier in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was the first enlisted soldier to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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Hubert brinkforth el primer caballero delhroh daduelist wot
Career
Hubert Brinkforth served as a Richtschutze (aiming gunner) during the Battle of France. In the heavy defensive battles in the vicinity of Abbeville, his regiment was ordered to take on an advanced position, securing the beachhead, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the main battle line. At the southern rim of Huppy his 3.7 cm Pak 36 gun repulsed a British tank attack on 27 May 1940. He succeeded in destroying nine enemy tanks during the course of the 20 minute battle. For this feat he was promoted to Gefreiter (private) and received the Iron Cross 2nd Class. General Erich von Manstein also nominated him for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Brinkforth received the Knight's Cross on 1 April 1941 from General Josef Harpe at the training grounds in the Tucheler Heide. Brinkforth was killed on 5 June 1942 by Soviet artillery near Pogostje, Russia.