| Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim | |
|---|---|
|
File:MaximilianEdelsheim.jpg Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim | |
| Born | 6 July 1897 |
| Died | 26 April 1994 (aged 96) |
| Place of birth | Berlin |
| Place of death | Konstanz |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Years of service | 1914–1945 |
| Rank | General der Panzertruppe |
| Commands held | XLVIII. Panzerkorps |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Konstanz Johann Georg Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim[Notes 1] (6 July 1897 – 26 April 1994) was a German general during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Career[]
Edelsheim was born on 6 July 1897 in Berlin, the son of Franz Freiherr von Edelsheim and his wife Theda, née von Frerichs. He died on 26 April 1994 in Konstanz.
Awards[]
- Iron Cross (1914)
- Knight, 2nd Class of Order of the Zähringer Lion with Swords
- Cross of Honor
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th to 1st Class
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Knight's Cross on 30 July 1941 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Radfahr-Abteilung 1[2][3]
- 162nd Oak Leaves on 23 December 1942 as Oberst and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26[2][4]
- 105th Swords on 23 October 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of 24. Panzer-Division[5]
- Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 21 February 1944, 28 August 1944, and 17 October 1944
- Order of Michael the Brave
- 3rd Class (30 May 1944)
Wehrmachtbericht references[]
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 21 February 1944 | Im Südabschnitt der Ostfront haben sich die bayerische 97. Jägerdivision unter Führung des Generalmajors Rabe v. Papenheim und die ostpreußische 24. Panzerdivision unter Führung des Generalmajors und Reichsfrhr. v. Edelsheim besonders ausgezeichnet.[6] | In the southern sector of the Eastern Front have the Bavarian 97 Rifle Division under the command of Major General Rabe v. Papenheim and the East Prussian 24 Armoured Division under the leadership of Major General Reichsfreiherr v. Edelsheim particularly excelled. |
| 28 August 1944 (Addendum) | In den seit Ende Juli andauernden Kämpfen an San und Weichsel hat sich die bereits vielfach bewährte ostpreußische 24. Panzerdivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim erneut in Angriff und Abwehr hervorragend geschlagen.[7] | In the since the end of July ongoing battle at the San and Vistula has the already multiple times successful East Prussia 24 Armored Division, led by Lieutenant General Reichsfreiherr, again shown outstanding fortitude in attack and defense. |
| 17 October 1944 (Addendum) | An der erfolgreichen Abwehr der nunmehr seit 5 Wochen währenden feindlichen Angriffe in den Ostbeskiden haben die tapferen Verbände des 24. Panzerkorps unter Führung des Generalleutnants von Le Suire und des Generalleutnants Freiherr von Edelsheim entscheidenden Anteil.[8] | In the successful defense, which has lasted 5 weeks now, of hostile attacks in the Bieszczady, the brave units of the 24 Panzer Corps under the command of Lieutenant-General von Le Suire and Lieutenant-General Freiherr von Edelsheim have played a decisive role. |
Notes[]
- ↑ Regarding personal names: Reichsfreiherr was a title, before 1919, but now is regarded as part of the surname. It is translated as Baron of the Empire. Before the August 1919 abolition of nobility as a separate estate, titles preceded the full name when given (Prinz Otto von Bismarck). After 1919, these titles, along with any nobiliary prefix (von, zu, etc.), could be used, but were regarded as part of the surname, and thus came after a first name (Otto Prinz von Bismarck). The feminine forms are Reichsfreifrau and Reichsfreiin. Titles using the prefix Reichs- were those created before the fall of the Holy Roman Empire.
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Alman, Karl (2008). Panzer vor - Die dramtische Geschichte der deutschen Panzerwaffe und ihre tapferen Soldaten. Würzburg, Germany: Flechsig Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88189-638-2.
- Berger, Florian (2000). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges (With oak leaves and swords: the highest decorated soldiers of World War II). Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (The holders of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 1939–1945). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Schaulen, Fritjof (2003). Eichenlaubträger 1940 - 1945 Zeitgeschichte in Farbe I Abraham - Huppertz (in German). Selent, Germany: Pour le Mérite. ISBN 3-932381-20-3.
- 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.
- Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 3-7648-2299-6.
- 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[]
The original article can be found at Maximilian von Edelsheim and the edit history here.