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~SOLD~KNOBELSDORFF, von, Otto
Knobelsdorff, von, Otto
*March 31st, 1886 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)
+October 21st, 1966 (Hannover/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Knights Cross: September 17th, 1941
As: Generalleutnant Kommandeur, 19. Panzer-Division
At the end of July 1941 Generalleutnant von Knobelsdorff and his 19. Panzer-Division succeeded in taking the important hub of Velikiye Luki despite the presence of a strong Soviet defensive force. In doing so he finally was able to also close the Velikiye Luki pocket with his Division. For this important achievement he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Oakleaves: November 12th, 1943
As: General der Panzertruppen Kommandierender General, XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps
Awarded for the achievements of his Korps during the ultimately abortive southern German assault against the Kursk salient in July 1943.
322nd Award.
Swords: September 21st, 1944
As: General der Panzertruppen Kommandierender General, XXXX. Panzerkorps
Awarded for his achievements during the retreat battles of his Korps in early 1944. On the 15.02.1944 Knobelsdorff and his Korps managed to break out of their encirclement at Nikopol. In the battles which followed all the way up to the Romanian border at the end of May, Knobelsdorff demonstrated great skill and was able to prevent his Divisions from being destroyed by the enemy.
100th Award.
Born in Berlin in 1886 to a noble family, Knobelsdorff joined the army of Imperial Germany in 1905 as a Fahnen-junker (officer cadet) and served in the infantry. Twice awarded the Iron Cross during World War I, he later served in the Heer (Army) branch of the Wehrmacht. He was chief of staff of Corps Command XXXIII at the time of the outbreak of World War II. A generalmajor, he was given command of the 19th Infantry Division on 1 February 1940 and led it through the Battle of France and during subsequent occupation duty. In October, the division was withdrawn to Germany for conversion to armour. It was re-designated the 19th Panzer Division and Knobelsdorff, promoted to Generalleutnant in late 1940, oversaw his command's transition from infantry to tanks.
With Knobelsdorff still in command, the division was sent to Russia as part of Operation Barbarossa and fought through to the outskirts of Moscow. In early 1942, he was acting commander of X Army Corps and fulfilled the same role for II Army Corps in mid-1942, when it was involved in the Demyansk Salient. He then commanded XXIV Panzer Corps, still as acting commander, before being given a permanent role leading XXXXVIII Panzer Corps from late 1942 to late 1943, although he spent three months out of the lines during this time. Now a General der Panzertruppe (General of Panzer Troops), during this period he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross that he had been awarded in 1941 while leading the 19th Panzer Division and the German Cross in gold.
Competent as a leader of armoured formations, Knobelsdorff was given command of 1st Army in September 1944, serving in France at the time. Although awarded the Swords to his Knight's Cross the same month, he proved less adept at this level and was ultimately relieved in November 1944 for resisting Adolf Hitler's efforts to transfer 1st Army's tanks away in support of the Ardennes offensive. He ended the war without another command. In later life, he wrote Geschichte der niedersaechsischen 19. Panzer-Division, a history of the 19th Panzer Division which was published in 1958. He died in Hannover in 1966.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Postwar signed photo measuring 3 ½” x 4 ½” light signature on front nice clean signature on back with rank.
Of note Heinrich Hoffmann photographer
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