Hermann Recknagel

Hermann Recknagel
Hermann Recknagel
Born	(1892-07-18)18 July 1892 Strauchmühle Hofgeismar, Kingdom of Prussia
Died	near Piotrków Trybunalski at the Vistula, General Government
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1914–45
Rank	General der Infanterie
Commands held	Infantrie-Regiment 54 111. Infanterie-Division XXXXII.Armeekorps
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Battle of Dunkirk Operation Barbarossa Vistula-Oder Offensive
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Hermann Recknagel (18 July 1892, Hofgeismar – 23 January 1945) was a German general during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (German: 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. Recknagel was shot on 23 January 1945 by partisans between Piotrków Trybunalski and Tomaszów Mazowiecki.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class (1 October 1914)
  • 1st Class (30 September 1916)
• Wound Badge (1914)
  • in Black
  • in Silver
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
• Infantry Assault Badge
• Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (22 September 1939)
  • 1st Class (2 October 1939)
• German Cross in Gold on 11 February 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of the 111. Infanterie-Division
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
  • Knight's Cross on 5 August 1940 as Oberst and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 54
  • 319th Oak Leaves on 6 November 1943 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 111. Infanterie-Division
  • 104th Swords on 23 October 1944 as General der Infanterie and commanding general of the XXXXII. Armeekorps
• Mentioned three times in the Wehrmachtbericht (8 June 1940, 19 August 1944, 9 September 1944)

Wehrmachtbericht references

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
Saturday, 8 June 1940	In den letzten erbitterten Kämpfen um die Festung Dünkirchen tat sich vor allem ein Infanterieregiment unter seinen Kommandeur Oberst Recknagel und ein Infanteriebataillon unter seinem Kommandeur Major Schaller besonders hervor.	In the recent fierce fighting around the fortress Dunkirk excelled above all an infantry regiment under his commander colonel Recknagel and an infantry battalion under its commander Major Schaller.
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.	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.
9 September 1944 (addendum)	Im Weichselbrückenkopf, westlich Baranow, haben die unter dem Oberbefehl des Generals der Panzertruppen Balck, und dem Befehl der Generale der Panzertruppen Breith und Gräser sowie des Generals der Infanterie Recknagel stehenden Truppen im vergangenen Monat den Durchbruch massierter sowjetischer Kräfte vereitelt und den feindlichen Brückenkopf durch erfolgreiche Gegenangriffe eingeengt.	In the Vistula bridgehead west of Baranov, troops under the command in chief of General of Panzer Troops Balck, and commanded by the Generals of Panzer Troops Breith and Gräser as well as the General of the Infantry Recknagel prevented the break out last month of massed Soviet forces and narrowed the enemy bridgehead by counterattacks successfully.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by General der Infanterie Otto Stapf	Commander of 111. Infanterie-Division 1 January 1942 – 15 August 1943	Succeeded by Generalmajor Werner von Bülow
Preceded by Generalmajor Werner von Bülow	Commander of 111. Infanterie-Division 30 August 1943 – 1 November 1943	Succeeded by Generalmajor Erich Gruner
Preceded by General der Infanterie Franz Mattenklott	Commander of XXXXII. Armeekorps 14 June 1944 – 23 January 1945	Succeeded by Generalmajor Arthur Finger