| Erpo Kraft Bodo Ernst Gustav Wilke Freiherr von Bodenhausen | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 12, 1897 |
| Died | 9 May 1945 (aged 48) |
| Place of birth | Schloß Arnstein |
| Place of death | Grobin |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1945 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Commands held |
12. Panzer Division L. Armeekorps |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Erpo Kraft Bodo Ernst Gustav Wilke Freiherr von Bodenhausen[a] (12 April 1897 – 9 May 1945) was a German general who commanded the 12th Panzer Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Generalleutnant von Bodenhausen committed suicide on 9 May 1945 in the Courland Pocket rather than surrender to Soviet forces.
Awards and decorations[]
- Wound Badge (1914)
- in Black (27 September 1918)
- Iron Cross (1914)
- 2nd Class (12 October 1915)
- 1st Class (6 October 1917)
- Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (1934)
- Wound Badge (1939)
- in Silver (?)
- in Gold (?)
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (22 September 1939)
- 1st Class (30 September 1939)
- Panzer Badge in Bronze (1 November 1940)
- Eastern Front Medal (3 October 1942)
- German Cross in Gold (3 January 1942)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 15 December 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of 12. Panzer-Division [1]
- Mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht (18 February 1944 and 28 December 1944)
Wehrmachtbericht references[]
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 18 February 1944 | ... In diesem Raum hat sich die pommersche 12. Panzerdivision unter Führung des Generalleutnants Freiherr von Bodenhausen besonders bewährt.[2] | ... In this area has the Pomeranian 12th Armored Division under the leadership of Lieutenant General Freiherr von Bodenhausen proven itself exceptionally. |
| 28 December 1944 (Addendum) | In den harten Kämpfen der dritten Kurlandschlacht haben sich die norddeutsche 225. Infanteriedivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Risse und die pommersche 12. Panzerdivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Freiherr von Bodenhausen durch hervorragende Standhaftigkeit ausgezeichnet.[3] | In tough combat of the third Courland battle, the North German 225th Infantry Division under the command of Lieutenant General Risse and the Pomeranian 12th Armored Division, led by Lieutenant General Freiherr von Bodenhausen, have shown outstanding steadfastness. |
Footnotes[]
- a Regarding personal names: Freiherr is a former title (translated as Baron), which is now legally a part of the last name. The female forms are Freifrau and Freiin.
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.
External links[]
- Lexikon der Wehrmacht
- World War 2 Awards.com
- Ritterkreuztraeger 1939-1945
- Erpo Freiherr von Bodenhausen @ Axis Biographical Research
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The original article can be found at Erpo Freiherr von Bodenhausen and the edit history here.