Years of service 1914–191935–45 | Name Rudolf Bacherer Service/branch German Army | |
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Born 19 June 1895Pforzheim ( 1895-06-19 ) Commands held Infanterie-Regiment 234Grenadier-Regiment 234Infanterie-Regiment 1026Grenadier-Regiment 1049 Battles/wars World War IWorld War IIBattle of FranceOperation BarbarossaInvasion of NormandyBattle of Saint Malo Battles and wars World War I, Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Invasion of Normandy, Battle for Brest, World War II | ||
Rudolf Bacherer (19 June 1895 – 6 July 1964) was a highly decorated Oberst of the Reserves in the Wehrmacht during World War II who held several regimental commands. 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.
In June 1944 Bacherer was commanding the 1049th Infantry Regiment on the Western Front when Major General Rudolf Stegmann, commander of the 77th Infantry Division was killed in American air raid. Bacherer was immediately promoted to command the Division and enjoyed some early successes, capturing 250 American prisoners on 17 June and the following day broke through US lines to link up with the remnants of the LXXXIV Corps near La Haye-du-Puits. The Division however, which was already understrength when Bacherer made his advance soon suffered heavy losses as the Americans forged ahead. Bacherer was captured by American forces following the fall of Saint-Malo in 1944 and was held as a POW until 1947.