Rudolf_Jesse
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry.[1] A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945.[Note 1] This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.[3]
These recipients are listed in the 1986 edition of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945. Fellgiebel was the former chairman and head of the order commission of the AKCR. In 1996, the second edition of this book was published with an addendum delisting 11 of these original recipients. Author Veit Scherzer has cast doubt on a further 193 of these listings. The majority of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany in the final days of World War II in Europe left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.[4]
Listed here are the 142 Knight's Cross recipients whose last names start with "J",[5] ordered alphabetically. Fellgiebel himself delisted one and Scherzer has challenged the validity of four more of these listings.[6] The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[7] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[8] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[9] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[10]
The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists for the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Waffen-SS. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.[11] Of the 142 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "J", 14 were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and two the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords; 15 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received 85 of the medals, nine went to the Kriegsmarine, 42 to the Luftwaffe, and six to the Waffen-SS.[5] The sequential numbers greater than 843 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and are therefore denoted in parentheses.[12]
This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
This along with the ! (exclamation mark) indicates that author Walther-Peer Fellgiebel has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
More information Name, Service ...
| Name | Service | Rank | Role and unit[Note 2] | Date of award | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans-Joachim Jabs+ | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[13] | Pilot and Staffel officer in the 2./Zerstörergeschwader 76[14][14][Note 3] | 1 October 1940[13] | Awarded 430th Oak Leaves 24 March 1944[13] | |
| Eberhard Jacob | Luftwaffe | 14-LHauptmann[13] | Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[13][14] | 29 February 1944[13] | — |
— |
| Georg-Rupert Jacob[Note 4] | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[15] | Chief of the 1./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 7[14][15] | 13 September 1944[15] | — |
— |
| Karl-Peter Jacob | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant[13] | Chief of the 2./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143[13][14] | 13 June 1941[13] | — |
— |
| Paul Jacob | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant[Note 5] | Deputy leader of the I./Jäger-Regiment 204[13][14] | 10 March 1943[13] | — |
— |
| Fritz Jacobeit | Heer | 03-HGefreiter[13] | Group leader in the 6./Füsilier-Regiment 22[13][14] | 11 March 1945[13] | — |
— |
| Hans-Joachim Jacobi von Wangelin | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[13] | Staffelführer of the 1./Kampfgeschwader 77[14][Note 6] | 19 September 1942[13] | — |
— |
| Martin Jacobs | Heer | 04-HObergefreiter[13] | Group leader in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 431[13][14] | 26 December 1943[13] | — |
— |
| Fritz Jacoby | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[13] | Chief of the 7./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 11[13][14] | 3 April 1943*[13] | Killed in action 19 March 1943[13] | — |
| Egbert Jaeckel | Luftwaffe | 12-LLeutnant[13] | Pilot in the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[13][14] | 14 May 1942[13] | — |
— |
| Karl Jäckel![Note 7] | Kriegsmarine | 10-MObersteuermann | Coxswain on U-907[14] | 9 May 1945 | — |
— |
| Alfred Jaedtke | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[13] | Commander of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 14[13][14] | 21 September 1944[13] | — |
|
| Erich Jäger | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[13] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the I./Flak-Regiment 23 (motorized)[14][Note 8] | 5 July 1941[13] | — |
— |
| Fritz Jäger?[Note 9] | Heer | 15-HMajor | Commander of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 8[14] | 26 May 1940 | — |
— |
| Gerhard Jaeger | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[17] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 418[14][17] | 23 February 1942[17] | — |
— |
| Karl-Heinz Jaeger+ | Heer | 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[17] | Leader of the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 167[14][17] | 4 August 1943[17] | Awarded 786th Oak Leaves 16 March 1945[17] | — |
| Dr. med. Rolf Jäger | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberarzt (rank equivalent to Oberleutnant)[17] | Troop doctor in the assault group "Beton" of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch" (Battle of Fort Eben-Emael)[14][17] | 13 May 1940[Note 10] | — |
— |
| Willy Jähde | Heer | 15-HMajor[17] | Commander of schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502[14][17] | 16 March 1944[17] | — |
— |
| Erhard Jähnert | Luftwaffe | 12-LLeutnant[17] | Pilot in the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[14][17] | 18 May 1943[17] | — |
— |
| Adolf Jäkel | Luftwaffe | 17-LOberst[17] | Geschwaderkommodore of Transportgeschwader 1[17][18] | 19 August 1944[17] | — |
— |
| Erwin Jaenecke | Heer | 19-HGeneralleutnant[17] | Commander of the 389. Infanterie-Division[17][18] | 9 October 1942[17] | — |
— |
| Hans-Joachim Jäschke | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[17] | Staffelführer of the 4./Schlachtgeschwader 1[18][Note 11] | 28 March 1944[17] | — |
— |
| Bruno Jagusch | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[17] | Panzer commander in the Panzer-Jäger-Kompanie 1349[17][18] | 5 March 1945[17] | — |
— |
| Gunter Jahn | Kriegsmarine | 14-MKapitänleutnant[17] | Commander of U-596[17][18] | 30 April 1943[17] | — |
— |
| Paul Jahncke[Note 12] | Heer | 10-HOberfeldwebel[15] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 53[15][18] | 18 February 1945[15] | — |
— |
| Arthur Jahnke | Heer | 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[17] | Leader of the 5./Grenadier-Regiment 572[17][18] | 20 April 1944[17] | — |
— |
| Arno Jahr | Heer | 19-HGeneralleutnant[15] | Commander of the 387. Infanterie-Division[15][18] | 22 December 1942[15] | — |
— |
| Maximilian Jais | Heer | 17-HOberst[15] | Commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 141[15][18] | 17 September 1941[15] | — |
— |
| Friedrich Jakob+ | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[15] | Leader of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 105[15][18] | 4 March 1942[15] | Awarded 681st Oak Leaves 18 December 1944[15] | — |
| Georg Jakob+ | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[15] | Staffelkapitän of the 2./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77[15][18] | 27 April 1942[15] | Awarded 615th Oak Leaves 30 September 1944[15] | — |
| Willy Jakob | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[15] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 391[15][18] | 4 March 1942*[15] | Killed in action 27 January 1942[15] | — |
| Josef Jakwert+ | Heer | 10-HOberfeldwebel[15] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Divisions-Panzer-Jäger-Kompanie 361<ref>Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 242, 493}}[Note 13] | 14 May 1944[15] | Awarded 752nd Oak Leaves 24 February 1945[15] | — |
| Siegfried Jamrowski | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[15] | Chief of the 6./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3[15][18] | 9 June 1944[15] | — |
|
| Arthur Jander | Heer | 15-HMajor[15] | Leader of a Kampfgruppe in the 62. Infanterie-Division[15][18] | 15 June 1943[15] | — |
— |
| Hans Janke | Heer | 16-HOberstleutnant[15] | Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 159[15] | 23 February 1944[15] | — |
— |
| Karl Janke | Luftwaffe | 14-LHauptmann[15] | Staffelkapitän of the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[15][18] | 16 November 1942[15] | — |
— |
| Ewald Jannes | Heer | 04-HObergefreiter[19] | In the 9./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 28[18][19] | 30 April 1945[19] | — |
— |
| Ernst Jansa+ | Luftwaffe | 16-LOberstleutnant[19] | Commander of Flak(Sturm)Regiment 12 (motorized)[18][19] | 31 October 1944[19] | Awarded 726th Oak Leaves 1 February 1945[19] | — |
| Willi Jansen | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant[Note 14] | Aide-de-camp in Panzergrenadier-Regiment 128[18][19] | 15 May 1944[19] | — |
— |
| Theodor Jansing | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[19] | Company troop leader of the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 480[18][19] | 26 January 1944[19] | — |
— |
| Paul-Vincenz Jansky | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[19] | Chief of the 7./Jäger-Regiment 49[18][19] | 12 August 1944[19] | — |
— |
| Ewald Janssen | Luftwaffe | 15-LMajor[19] | Geschwaderkommodore of Schlachtgeschwader 4[18][19] | 31 October 1944[19] | — |
— |
| Siegfried Janz | Luftwaffe | 04-LObergefreiter | Group leader of the 1./Jäger-Regiment 42 (L)[19][20] | 5 November 1944[19] | — |
— |
| Fritz Jaquet?[Note 15] | Heer | 12-HLeutnant | Adjutant of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 62[20] | 9 May 1945 | — |
— |
| Alfred Jarosch | Heer | 12-HLeutnant[19] | Leader of the 8./Jäger-Regiment 38[19][20] | 24 September 1942[19] | — |
— |
| Erich Jaschinski | Luftwaffe | 10-LOberfeldwebel[19] | Pilot in the I./Transportgeschwader 3[19][20] | 9 February 1945[19] | — |
— |
| Erich Jaschke+ | Heer | 17-HOberst[19] | Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 90 (motorized)[19][20] | 4 December 1941[19] | Awarded 295th Oak Leaves 7 September 1943[19] | |
| Herbert Jaschke | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[22] | Commander of Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 249[20][22] | 23 April 1945[22] | — |
— |
| Franz Jasiek | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[22] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 5[20][22] | 22 April 1943[22] | — |
— |
| Georg Jass | Heer | 15-HMajor[22] | Commander of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 30[20][22] | 9 June 1944[22] | — |
— |
| Georg Jauer+ | Heer | 19-HGeneralleutnant[22] | Commander of the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division[20][22] | 4 May 1944[22] | Awarded 733rd Oak Leaves 10 February 1945[22] | — |
| Georg Jauernik | Luftwaffe | 11-LStabsfeldwebel[22] | Pilot in the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77[20][22] | 27 November 1942[22] | — |
— |
| Friedrich Jeckeln+ | Waffen-SS | 20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Polizei and Waffen-SS[Note 16] | Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer Ostland und Rußland-Nord and leader of a lett. SS-Polizei-Kampfgruppe[20][Note 16] | 27 August 1944[22] | Awarded 802nd Oak Leaves 8 March 1945[22] | |
| Erich Jeckstat | Luftwaffe | 09-LFeldwebel[22] | Pilot in the 1./Kampfgeschwader 100[20][22] | 14 March 1943[22] | — |
— |
| Ernst Jedele | Heer | 10-HOberfeldwebel[22] | Troop leader in the 6./Sturm-Regiment 14[20][22] | 15 April 1944*[22] | Killed in action 8 March 1944[22] | — |
| Otto Jedermann | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[22] | Commander of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 146[20][22] | 14 May 1944[22] | — |
— |
| Josef Jenatschek | Heer | 12-HLeutnant[22] | Leader of the 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 14[20][22] | 4 May 1944[22] | — |
— |
| Hans Jenisch | Kriegsmarine | 13-MOberleutnant zur See[22] | Commander of U-32[20][22] | 7 October 1940[22] | — |
— |
| Roland Jenisch | Heer | 17-HOberst of the Reserves[23] | Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 756[20][23] | 9 December 1944[23] | — |
— |
| Peter Jenne | Luftwaffe | 14-LHauptmann[23] | Staffelkapitän of the 12./Jagdgeschwader 300[20][23] | 2 February 1945[23] | — |
— |
| Josef Jennewein | Luftwaffe | 12-LLeutnant[Note 17] | Pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[20][Note 17] | 5 December 1943*[23] | Missing in action 26 July 1943[23] | |
| Karl Jenninger | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant[23] | Chief of the 2./Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon VI./999[20][23] | 26 November 1944[23] | — |
— |
| Max Jensen | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[23] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stab I./Grenadier-Regiment 502[20][23] | 29 April 1945[23] | — |
— |
| Jakob Jenster | Luftwaffe | 10-LOberfeldwebel[23] | Pilot in the 6./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[23][24] | 29 February 1944[23] | — |
— |
| Heinz Jente | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[23] | Staffelkapitän of the 2./Kampfgeschwader 26[23][24] | 29 October 1942[23] | — |
— |
| Walter Jentschke[Note 18] | Waffen-SS | 01-WSS-Kanonier[23] | Radio troop leader in the 5./SS-Freiwilligen-Artillerie-Regiment 54 "Nederland"[20][23] | 18 December 1944[23] | — |
— |
| Erich Jentzsch | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[23] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 446[23][24] | 8 August 1944*[23] | Missing in action 24 April 1943[23] | — |
| Hans Jentzsch | Luftwaffe | 14-LHauptmann[23] | Commander of the I./Flak-Regiment 291 (motorized)[23][24] | 25 November 1944[23] | — |
— |
| Wilhelm Jerschke | Heer | 05-HStabsgefreiter[23] | Messenger in the 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 12[23][24] | 7 October 1944[23] | — |
— |
| [Prof. Dr.] Hans-Heinrich Jescheck[Note 19] | Heer | 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[23] | Leader of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 118[23][24] | 5 March 1945[23] | — |
— |
| Hans Jeschonnek | Luftwaffe | 18-LGeneralmajor[25] | Chief of the general staff of the Luftwaffe[24][25] | 27 October 1939[25] | — |
|
| Helmut Jeserer | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[25] | Commander of the II./Sturm-Regiment 215[24][25] | 30 April 1945[25] | — |
— |
| Rudolf Jesse | Kriegsmarine | 13-MOberleutnant zur See of the Reserves[25] | Commander of a Minensuchboot (minesweeper) in the 8. Minensuchflottille[24][25] | 5 September 1944[25] | — |
— |
| Curt von Jesser | Heer | 17-HOberst[25] | Commander of Panzer-Regiment 36[24][25] | 18 January 1942[25] | — |
|
| Ernst Jetting | Heer | 10-HOberfeldwebel[25] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 29 (motorized)[24][25] | 4 June 1944[25] | — |
— |
| Hermann Jobelius | Heer | 15-HMajor[25] | Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 432[24][25] | 28 February 1945[25] | — |
— |
| Hermann Jochems | Luftwaffe | 10-LOberfeldwebel[25] | Pilot in the Stab/Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[24][25] | 3 September 1942[25] | — |
— |
| Hermann-Gustav Jochims | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[25] | Chief of the 7./Grenadier-Regiment 90 (motorized)[24][25] | 19 September 1943[25] | — |
|
| Bernhard Jochimsen | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier of the Reserves[Note 20] | Group leader in the 1./Pionier-Bataillon 290[24][25] | 28 April 1945[25] | — |
— |
| Alfred Jodl+ | Heer | 21-HGeneraloberst[25] | Chef des Wehrmachtführungsstabes (Chief of Operation Staff) im OKW[24][Note 21] | 7 May 1945[Note 21] | Awarded (865th) Oak Leaves 7 May 1945?[Note 22] | |
| Ferdinand Jodl | Heer | 20-HGeneral der Gebirgstruppe[25] | Commanding general of the XIX. Gebirgskorps[24][25] | 13 January 1945[25] | — |
|
| Martin Joecks | Heer | 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[25] | Commander of leichte Artillerie-Abteilung 426 (motorized)[24][Note 23] | 14 May 1944[25] | — |
— |
| Wolf-Joachim Jödicke | Luftwaffe | 15-LMajor[26] | Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 3 "Lützow"[24][26] | 5 February 1944[26] | — |
— |
| Wolfgang Joerchel | Waffen-SS | 16-WSS-Obersturmbannführer[26] | Commander of niederländ. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 "General Seyffardt"[24][Note 24] | 21 April 1944[26] | — |
— |
| Karl Jörß | Kriegsmarine | 06-MBootsmannsmaat of the Reserves[Note 25] | Flakleiter auf einem Transporter im Mittelmeer (anti aircraft controller on a transporter in the Mediterranean)[24][Note 25] | 17 February 1943[26] | — |
|
| Gerhard Jözwiak | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[26] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 12./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 104[24][26] | 17 March 1945[26] | — |
— |
| Bernhard Johannes | Luftwaffe | 09-LFeldwebel[26] | Pilot in the 1./Schlachtgeschwader 10[27][Note 26] | 29 October 1944*[26] | Killed in action 11 July 1944[26] | — |
| Rolf Johannesson | Kriegsmarine | 17-MKapitän zur See[26] | Commander of destroyer Hermes[26][27] | 7 December 1942[26] | — |
— |
| Willy Johannmeyer+ | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant[26] | Leader of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 503[26][27] | 16 May 1942[26] | Awarded 329th Oak Leaves 18 November 1943[26] | — |
| Günther Johanns | Heer | 15-HMajor[Note 27] | Commander of Pionier-Bataillon 292[26][27] | 9 January 1944[26] | — |
— |
| Hans Johannsen | Kriegsmarine | 13-MOberleutnant (Ing.)[26] | Chief engineer on U-802[26][27] | 31 March 1945[26] | — |
— |
| Kurt Johannsen | Kriegsmarine | 14-MKapitänleutnant[26] | Chief of the 5. Schnellbootflottille[26][27] | 14 June 1944[26] | — |
— |
| Karl-Ludwig Johanssen | Luftwaffe | 12-LLeutnant[26] | Radio operator in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6[27][Note 28] | 20 March 1945[26] | — |
— |
| Dipl.-Ing. Richard John | Heer | 18-HGeneralmajor[26] | Commander of the 292. Infanterie-Division[26][27] | 20 December 1943[26] | — |
|
| Richard John | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[28] | Company troop leader in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 445[27][28] | 4 May 1944[28] | — |
— |
| Wolfram John | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[28] | Chief of the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 209[27][28] | 18 November 1944[28] | — |
— |
| Max Johne | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[28] | Chief of the 9./Grenadier-Regiment 667[27][28] | 30 October 1943[28] | — |
— |
| Wilhelm Johnen | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[28] | Staffelkapitän of the 8./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6[27][Note 29] | 29 October 1944[28] | — |
— |
| Fritz Jokisch | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel of the Reserves[Note 30] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 110[27][28] | 28 July 1943*[28] | Died of wounds 14 July 1943[28] | — |
| Günter Jolitz | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[28] | Staffelführer of the 9.(K)/Lehrgeschwader 1[27][28] | 5 June 1944*[Note 31] | Killed in action 12 February 1944[28] | — |
| Erwin Jollasse | Heer | 17-HOberst[28] | Commander of Schützen-Regiment 52[27][28] | 2 November 1941[28] | — |
— |
| Ludwig Jooss | Heer | 15-HMajor of the Reserves[28] | Commander of I./Grenadier-Regiment 21[27][28] | 17 March 1945[28] | — |
— |
| Bernhard Jope+ | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[28] | Pilot in the 2./Kampfgeschwader 40[27][28] | 30 December 1940[28] | Awarded 431st Oak Leaves 24 March 1944[28] | |
| Hermann-Friedrich Joppien+ | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[28] | Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51[27][Note 32] | 16 September 1940[28] | Awarded 11th Oak Leaves 23 April 1941[28] | |
| Adolf Jordan | Heer | 15-HMajor[28] | Commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 203[27][28] | 27 May 1942[28] | — |
— |
| Günther Jordan | Heer | 17-HOberst of the Reserves[28] | Commander of Jäger-Regiment 25 (L)[27][Note 33] | 17 March 1945[28] | — |
— |
| Hans Jordan+ | Heer | 17-HOberst[29] | Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 49[27][29] | 5 June 1940[29] | Awarded 59th Oak Leaves 16 January 1942 64th Swords 20 April 1944[29] |
— |
| Hans Jordan | Heer | 16-HOberstleutnant im Generalstab (in the General Staff)[29] | Ia (operations officer) in the 72. Infanterie-Division[29][30] | 22 February 1945[29] | — |
— |
| Herbert Jordan | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[29] | Chief of the 4./Artillerie-Regiment 32[29][30] | 10 September 1944[29] | — |
— |
| Hermann Jordan | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[29] | Leader of the III./Grenadier-Regiment 9[29][30] | 16 August 1943*[29] | Killed in action 2 August 1943[29] | — |
| Manfred Jordan | Heer | 06-HSanitäts-Unteroffizier[29] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66[29][30] | 11 January 1944[29] | — |
— |
| Walter Joseph | Heer | 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[29] | Leader of the 4./Feldersatz-Bataillon 107[29][30] | 24 June 1944[29] | — |
— |
| Hans Jost | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[29] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 256[29][30] | 5 April 1944*[29] | Killed in action 23 February 1944[29] | — |
| Walter Jost | Heer | 17-HOberst[29] | Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 75[29][30] | 31 March 1942[29] | — |
— |
| Günther Josten+ | Luftwaffe | 10-LOberfeldwebel[29] | Pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[30][Note 34] | 5 February 1944[29] | Awarded 810th Oak Leaves 28 March 1945[29] | — |
| Wilhelm Joswig | Luftwaffe | 10-LOberfeldwebel[29] | Pilot in the 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[29][30] | 29 February 1944[29] | — |
— |
| Hans Juchem | Waffen-SS | 14-WSS-Hauptsturmführer[29] | Commander of the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania"[29]<ref>Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 246, 493}} | 12 September 1943*[29] | Killed in action 13 August 1943[29] | — |
| Georg Juditzki | Luftwaffe | 12-LLeutnant[29] | Pilot in the Stab I./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"[29][30] | 9 November 1944[29] | — |
— |
| Walter Jünemann | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[31] | Company troop leader in the 4./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 104[30][31] | 4 October 1944*[31] | Killed in action 14 August 1944[31] | — |
| Friedrich-Wilhelm Jürgen | Heer | 15-HMajor[31] | Commander of the II./Schützen-Regiment 2[30][31] | 16 June 1940[31] | — |
— |
| Heinz Jürgens?[Note 35] | Waffen-SS | 14-WSS-Hauptsturmführer | Commander of SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4[30] | 9 May 1945 | — |
— |
| Karl Jürgens | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[31] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Infanterie-Regiment 73[30][31] | 4 September 1940[31] | — |
— |
| Wilhelm Jürgens | Luftwaffe | 15-LMajor[31] | Commander of the II./Flak-Regiment 23 (motorized)[30][31] | 9 June 1944[31] | — |
— |
| Arnold Jürgensen | Waffen-SS | 15-WSS-Sturmbannführer[31] | Commander of the I./SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 "Hitlerjugend"[30][31] | 16 October 1944[31] | — |
— |
| Justus Jürgensen | Heer | 01-HBau-Pionier[31] | In the 5./Pionier-Bau-Ersatz und Ausbildungs Bataillon 3 Crossen (Oder)[30][Note 36] | 5 February 1945*[31] | Killed in action 5 February 1945[31] | — |
| Klaus Jürgensen | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[31] | Leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 46[31][33] | 2 February 1944[31] | — |
— |
| Arthur Jüttner+ | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[31] | Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 38[31][33] | 14 December 1941[31] | Awarded 622nd Oak Leaves 18 October 1944 141st Swords 5 April 1945[31] |
— |
| Werner Junck | Luftwaffe | 18-LGeneralmajor[31] | Commanding general of the II. Jagdkorps[31][33] | 9 June 1944[31] | — |
— |
| Heinrich Jung | Luftwaffe | 14-LHauptmann[31] | Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54[31][33] | 12 November 1943*[31] | Killed in action 30 July 1943[31] | — |
| Valentin Jung | Heer | 14-HHauptmann[31] | Commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 92 and Divisions-Kampfschule[33][Note 37] | 28 December 1943[31] | — |
— |
| Dietrich ter Jung | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[31] | Leader of the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 79[31][33] | 4 May 1944[31] | — |
— |
| Heinz Jungclausen | Luftwaffe | 13-LOberleutnant[34] | Staffelkapitän of the 6./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[33][34] | 9 October 1943[34] | — |
— |
| Herbert Junge | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[34] | Commander of a 8.8-cm FlaK in Greifenhagen<ref>Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 247, 493}}[Note 38] | 13 March 1945[34] | — |
— |
| Wilhelm Junge | Heer | 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[34] | Chief of the 5./Artillerie-Regiment 1542[33][34] | 9 December 1944[34] | — |
— |
| Siegfried Jungklaus | Luftwaffe | 14-LHauptmann[34] | Gruppenkommandeur of the III.(Eis)/Kampfgeschwader 3 "Lützow"[33][34] | 3 September 1943*[34] | Killed in action 22 April 1943[34] | — |
| Johann Jungkunst | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[34] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 11./Infanterie-Regiment 41 (motorized)[33][34] | 30 August 1941[34] | — |
— |
| Edgar Jungnickel | Kriegsmarine | 13-MOberleutnant zur See[34] | Commander of U-Jäger 1430[33][34] | 10 September 1944[34] | — |
— |
| Hans Jungwirth?[Note 39] | Luftwaffe | 15-LMajor | Commander of Fallschirm-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12[33] | 9 May 1945 | — |
— |
| Heinz Junker | Heer | 12-HLeutnant[34] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 1026[33][34] | 14 January 1945[34] | — |
— |
| Georg Jura | Heer | 11-HStabsfeldwebel[34] | Leader of the 14./Jäger-Regiment 49[33][34] | 28 April 1943[34] | — |
— |
| Franz Jursa | Heer | 06-HUnteroffizier[34] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 482[33][34] | 2 August 1943[34] | — |
— |
| Franz Juschkat | Heer | 09-HFeldwebel[34] | Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stabskompanie/Grenadier-Regiment 43[33][34] | 17 February 1943[34] | — |
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Close
- Großadmiral and President of Germany Karl Dönitz, Hitler's successor as Head of State (Staatsoberhaupt) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had ordered the cessation of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945 (Dönitz-decree). Consequently the last Knight's Cross awarded to Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Georg-Wolfgang Feller on 17 June 1945 must therefore be considered a de facto but not de jure hand-out.[2]
- For an explanation of the various naming schemes used by the Luftwaffe, Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS refer to nomenclature used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
- According to Scherzer as pilot in the 2./Zerstörergeschwader 76.[13]
- According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves.[13]
- According to Scherzer as Staffelführer of the 2./Kampfgeschwader 77.[13]
- Walther-Peer Fellgiebel, author of Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945, indicates that Jäckel received the Knight's Cross on 1 June 1945, after the Dönitz-decree prohibited the awarding of the Knight's Cross while other sources such as Clemens Range and Franz Kurowski indicate that the Knight's Cross was awarded on 28 May 1945. According to Fellgiebel Jäckel's paybook confirms his award on 1 June 1945. Thus making him a de facto but not de jure recipient.[2]
- Fritz Jäger, in connection with the 20 July plot, failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was deprived of all honors, ranks and orders and dishonorably discharged from the Heer on 14 August 1944. The civilian Jäger was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof on 21 August 1944 and executed the same day.[16]
- According to Scherzer as Staffelführer in the II./Schlachtgeschwader 1.[17]
- According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves.[19]
- The teleprinter nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) from the troop on 27 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk approved on 12 April. A HPA-nomination was created on 20 April with the number 5084. The file card in the German Nation Archives two notes stating: "Arrived on 12 April 1945" as well as "Forwarded on 19 April 1945". Scherzer assumes that Fritz Jaquet's unit in parallel to the teleprinter nomination had sent a more detailed nomination via messenger which was received on 12 April. The book Verliehene Ritterkreuze (Awarded Knight Crosses) indicates an arrival date of 14 April 1945 and forwarding date of 19 April. No further information was noted indicating that the Knight's Cross was further processed or awarded. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1982 and decided: "Knight's Cross yes, 8 May 1945". According to the AKCR the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. Fellgiebel later moved the presentation date by one day. Jacquet was a member of the AKCR.[21]
- According to Scherzer as SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS, Höherer SS- and Polizei and leader of the Höhere SS- und Polizeiführer Northern Russia, leader of Kampfgruppe Jeckeln (lett. Polizei) in the 18. Armee.[22]
- According to Scherzer as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders".[23]
- The brackets around the professor and doctor title [Prof. Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded
- According to Scherzer as Unteroffizier.[25]
- The award was unlawfully presented on 10 May 1945. The sequential number "865" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[16]
- According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Schlachtgeschwader 10.[26]
- According to Scherzer as radio operator in the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6.[26]
- According to Scherzer as pilot in the 8./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6.[28]
- According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51.[28]
- According to Scherzer as pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders".[29]
- Heinz Jürgens' nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) sometime between 23 and 27 April 1945 and prepared for signature with a presentation date of 28 April 1945. However it was never signed. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was present in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. Jürgens was a member of the AKCR.[32]
- Hans Jungwirth's nomination (copy of the original nomination), together with Richard Hengstler's and Ferdinand Deutsch's nomination, was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) from the troop on 26 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk forwarded this nomination to the Luftwaffenpersonalamt (LPA—Airforce Staff Office). All three original nominations had already been received by the LPA at this time. The LPA had created LPA-nominations which had been forwarded to Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on 24 April. Göring never received these nominations since he was already arrested at that time. Göring had been under arrest by the SS on the Obersalzberg since 23 April. General Rudolf Meister therefore took the decision himself and awarded Deutsch the Knight's Cross while he rejected Hengstler's nomination. Jungwirth's nomination was retained by the LPA. The reason for this remains unanswered since Jungwirth's file in the German Federal Archives was looted. A presentation cannot be proven. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Fellgiebel.[16]
Citations
- Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3–4.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 4.
- Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
- Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
- Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 241–247.
- Scherzer 2007, pp. 145–147.
- "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
- "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
- "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
- "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
- Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 102–111.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 415.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 241.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 417.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 146.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 416.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 242.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 418.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 243.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 145.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 419.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 420.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 244.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 421.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 422.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 245.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 423.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 424.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 246.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 425.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 147.
- Fellgiebel 2000, p. 247.
- Scherzer 2007, p. 426.
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [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] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6.
- "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes". Lexikon der Wehrmacht (in German). Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- "Das Bundesarchiv". Military Archive - Freiburg im Breisgau. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.