Recently I have acquired the Knight's Cross bequest which surfaced from the bequest of a collector from Vienna a couple of years ago. The photo and his crosses and badges had been kept in an iron box, which had been saved by an acquaintance of mine from being thrown out.
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Military career of Coracino:
He was born in North Rhine-Westphalia on 3 March, 1910. He performed his first military service from November 1935 to September 1936. In 1939 he was enrolled again in the 5th frontier defence company, in the 53rd contingent.
In 1940 he landed in the 454th infantry regiment in the 3rd reserve battalion, from which he was transferred to the 3rd company of the 454th infantry regiment. With his corps he participated in the Eastern Campaign against the Sovjet Union.
In 1943 he was the flag-lieutenant of the - in the meantime renamed - 1st battalion of the 454th grenadier regiment, then from 1944 he took over the direction of the 2nd company of his regiment.
From the summer of 1944 he was again redirected to the 413st infantry regiment of the 131st infantry division and was appointed commander of the 245th "Begleit" assault gun company ( Sturmgeschütz-Begleitkompanie 254 ) under the same regiment. His corps was directed from June of that year under the armoured division XXXXVIII. With his assault gun company he was ordered to the defence of the bolt position west of Pomoryany, where they could not hold the outnumbered attack of the Sovjets.
In the course of the clashes aiming to slow down the Sovjet push, his corps fought difficult battles between Zlota Lipa and Gnila Lipa.
Mainly for his outstanding military achievement in the severe defensive battles fought at Snovichi he was decorated on 2 September 1944 with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Ha passed away on 12 July 1994 in Eschweile, Germany.
Awards and decorations:
Iron Cross 2nd Class (5 May 1941), 1st Class (25 December 1941)
Infantry Assault Badge
Eastern Front Medal
Close Combat Clasp in Bronze
Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (27 February 1944)
German Cross in Gold (26 May 1943)
Tank Destruction Strip in Silver
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 2 September 1944
Unfortunately, this is all the data I managed to find about him.
I hope you like it!
Regards, Péter -
Hi Peter,
Excellent collection. Congratulation for that.
Beautiful Klein&Quenzer "65". I love it.Comment
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Thanks OKW!
Since then, I have replaced the missing ribbon.
If anyone knows any information about Coracinio, please let me know. This would greatly help my research!
Thank you in advance!
Regards, Péter
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Super nice grouping Peter! Love the K&QComment
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Nice group
It´s a early K&Q Knights cross without the die flaws in the rim.
AndyComment
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Buy the way do you know were his DKiG and Honor roll clasp is?
AndyComment
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Thank you Gentlemen.
And enlarge the picture for Andy too!
I don't know where the other awards went. At least the Juncker DKiG. case remains.
Peter
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