| George Graf von Rittberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 30, 1898 |
| Died | 6 June 1973 (aged 75) |
| Place of birth | Straßburg |
| Place of death | Krün |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Years of service | 1914 – 1945 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Commands held | 88. Infanterie Division |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
George Graf von Rittberg[Note 1] (30 May 1898 – 6 June 1973) was a German general who commanded the 88th Infantry Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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.
Awards and decorations[]
- Iron Cross (1914)
- 2nd Class (June 1915)
- 1st Class (October 1917)
- Cross of Honor in 1934
- Anschluss Medal
- Sudetenland Medal
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (17 May 1940)
- 1st Class (28 May 1940)
- German Cross in Gold (29 January 1942)
- Eastern Front Medal
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 21 February 1944 as Generalmajor and commander of 88. Infanterie Division [1]
- 610th Oak Leaves on 10 October 1944 as Generalmajor and commander of 88. Infanterie Division[2]
- Mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht (18 July 1944 and 19 August 1944)
References in the Wehrmachtbericht[]
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 18 July 1944 | Bei den Kämpfen an der Ostfront haben sich im Süden die fränkisch-sudentendeutsche 88. Infanterie-Division unter Führung von Generalmajor v. Rittberg und im Norden die rheinisch-westfälische 329. Infanterie-Division unter Führung des Generalleutnants Mayer durch besondere Härte und Zähigkeit wiederholt ausgezeichnet.[3] | The Frankish-Sudeten German 88th Infantry Division under the command of Major General von Rittberg in the northern sector of the eastern front and the Rhenish-Westphalian 329th Infantry Division under the leadership of Lieutenant General Mayer in the southern sector distinguished themselves by showing hardship and toughness. |
| 19 August 1944 (Addendum) | In den schweren Abwehrkämpfen im großen Weichselbogen haben sich die unter dem Befehl des Generals der Infanterie Recknagel stehenden fränkisch-sudetendeutsche 88. Infanteriedivision unter Führung von Generalmajor Graf von Rittberg und die hessisch-moselländische 72. Infanteriedivision unter Führung des Generalmajors Hohn durch unerschütterlichen Kampfesmut und kühnes Draufgängertum ausgezeichnet.[4] | In the fierce defensive battles in the great bend of the Vistula, the under the command of General of Infantry Recknagel standing Franco-Sudeten 88th Infantry Division, led by Major General Graf von Rittberg and the Hessian-Moselle 72nd Infantry Division under the leadership of Major General Hohn, have excelled themselves by showing unshakeable courage in battle and bold recklessness. |
Notes[]
- ↑ Regarding personal names: Graf is a title, translated as Count, not a first or middle name. The female form is Gräfin.
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) (in German). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtsteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches]. Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007) (in German). Die 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 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives]. Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- (in German) Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 3, 1 January 1944 to 9 May 1945]. München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2.
External links[]
The original article can be found at Georg Graf von Rittberg and the edit history here.