Gustav Altmann

Gustav Altmann
Born	(1912-04-13)13 April 1912 Britz, district of Eberswalde, Germany
Died	Reinhardshagen, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Rank	Major
Unit	Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch"
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Fort Eben-Emael Battle of Crete
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Gustav Altmann (13 April 1912 – 20 February 1981) was a member of the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for his actions during the Battle of Fort Eben-Emael. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Altmann was taken prisoner of war on 22 May 1941 during the battle of the Akrotiri peninsula.

Gustav Altmann was leader of Assault Group Steel (Sturmgruppe Stahl) of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch" during the opening phase of the Battle of France and the attack on Fort Eben-Emael. Assault Group Steel was tasked with taking the Belgian bridge at Veldwezelt and holding out until reinforcements arrived. Altmann led a group of 91 men crammed into 9 DFS 230 gliders in the assault. The attack succeeded at the cost of 8 dead, 16 heavily and 16 lightly wounded. Gustav Altmann and eleven other German officers of the Fallschirmjäger received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for this feat.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (12 May 1940)
  • 1st Class (13 May 1940)
• Cuffband "Crete"
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 May 1940 as Oberleutnant and leader of the Sturmgruppe "Stahl" in the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch"
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 9 June 1941

Wehrmachtbericht reference

The daily Wehrmachtbericht (Wehrmacht propaganda report) noted the following:

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
Monday, 9 June 1941	In den Kämpfen um Kreta zeichneten sich die unter Führung von Major Koch, Hauptmann Altmann und Oberleutnant Genz stehenden Fallschirmverbände durch Kühnheit und Heldenmut aus.	In the battles in Crete parachute units under the leadership of Major Koch, Hauptmann Altmann and Oberleutnant Genz distinguished themselves through boldness and heroic courage.