First awarded GCiG

[Dete]

Hello,

i know there were several GCiG awarded on the 18th of october 1941, but the question is, is there an official name of the soldier listed as the first holder?

Thanks for your help.
Best regards
Detlev

[StefanK.]

Hi Detlev,

according to an newspaper article, the very first recipient was Oblt. Robert von Malapert-Neufville who was officially awarded the DKiG on 15th of october beside other Luftwaffe-soldiers. On 18th the award was firstly bestowed to Heer-soldiers.

Malapert's cross is engraved with "I", which probably indicates the "first bestowal" butwith a later date, so i believe the award was handed over lateron.

Attached you'll find pictures of the award procedure to: Joachim Rieger, Robert v. Malapert and August Hachtel, all from the StuG 1. I believe the man pinning the awards on the soldier's uniforms is Oberstleutnant (Lt.Col.) Walter Hagen.

Hope this helps.
Greetings, S.

[Dete]

Hi Stefan,

thanks for your information. I didn t ask correctly, i am looking for the first soldier in the army. I found the following statement in the Forum der Wehrmacht.

Dabei fällt Rittmeister Orschler, der Kommandeur der Aufklärungsabteilung 263, der erste Soldat der deutschen Wehrmacht, der das Deutsche Kreuz in Gold erhielt.

I guess there is no number 1, but i was curious, because i was lucky enough to get the group.

Best regards
Detlev

[streptile]

Hi Detlev,

according to an newspaper article, the very first recipient was Oblt. Robert von Malapert-Neufville...

Hey Stefan,

Very interesting and very nice engraved DK. Thank you for showing the photos and sharing the information.