246. VGD - Generalmajor Peter Körte

[Laurens Q-fin]

Goodmorning,

What follows here is a question I have regarding the dead of Generalmajor Peter Körte from 246. Volksgrenadier-Division. I was trying to figure out how and when Generalmajor Körte died, and while searching all over the internet, I came up with four possible answers. There should be only one definite answer, I hope some of you gents will be able to clear that up:


* Died 22.04.1945 between Neu-Petershain and Greifenhain near Cottbus (according to website "Axis Biographical Research" http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/)

* Someone in a German forum (panzer-archiv.de) says: "Wurde als Reserve herangeführt, um Bastogne anzugreifen. Nachdem die 3. US-Armee bei Prüm einen Gegenangriff startete wurde die 246. zur Defensive eingesetz. Die Division zog sich in Richtung Prüm zurück, wo der Kdr fiel. Die Reste der Division ergaben sich an der Mosel." (translation: Was relocated as reserve, to attack Bastogne. The 246. Division was used as defensive unit after the 3th US-Army started the counter-attack near Prüm. The Division retreated to the direction of Prüm, where the commander died. The rest of the division shifted to the Mösel river.)

* Died 13.01.1971 in Bielefeld (according to website "Das Ritterkreuz" http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/)

* Died 13.01.1947 after being captured by British forces (according to website http://web.genealogie.free.fr/Les_mi...ralmajor/K.htm)


I look really forward to any comments here!

Thank you and best regards,
Laurens

[leib1]

aright laurens
in hitlers legions by samuel w mitcham it doesn't give a date just that oberst korte was killed in action in 45.hope that helps
jamie

[Laurens Q-fin]

Hello Jamie,

Thank you for the reply. That would rule out option 3 and 4.
What is also strange is the first option and the places Neu-Petershain and Greifenhain, Cottbus. Cottbus is located in the eastern part of Germany. If the 246. VGD fought in the Ardennes and near the border Belgium-Germany, why would their commander be taken to the other side of Germany?
Jamie, does that same book state when Generalmajor Körte became commander of the division? Also, any sign of Generalmajor Körte being linked to the 246. VGD? I'm trying to figure out more...

Thanks,
Laurens

[leib1]

hi laurens
in the book the wehrmacht at war by andris j kursietis a generalmajor peter korte commanded the 246 vgd from november 44 1st jan 45
in mitcham's just says he took command after aachen with remnants of 49 infantry div.didn't take part in bulge to heavily engaged in the huertgen.it was then involved at monschau then preum then by march in eifel.ended war on the southern sector of the western front.and korte was kia in 45.maybe he had something to do with the 49 infantry?also a oberst peter korte was awarded the knights cross 27.9.43 as commander of fus rgt 26.the 246 did get taken out of line a few times to be rebuilt so maybe that explains why he was in eastern germany maybe he died of wound's ?
hope that helps jamie

[H. Kitamura]

Hello,

according to the book "Die Generale des Heeres 1921-1945" Band 7, Biblio Verlag, Generalmajor K******246;rte took command of 246.Volksgrenadier-Division from 7. Nov. 1944 ( "mit der F******252;hrung beauftragt" as he was still Oberst).
(After his wound,) he was taken to the Lazarett (military hospital) in Schneidem******252;hl on 2. Jan. 1945, and then transferred to the Lazarett in Hamburg on 13. Feb. 1945. He was taken prisoner by the British on 5. May 1945. And, he died on 13. Jan. 1947 at Bielefeld.

You can see him, while he was on the Western Front, in the book "Les panzers en Lorraine" by Ronald McNair, Editions Heimdal, to the page 16. The Oberst with the Demjansk-Schild is not Oberst von Seckendorff, but Oberst Peter K******246;rte.

[Laurens Q-fin]

It is indeed the fate of Oberst Peter Körte that I am researching, after commanding Fus.-Rgt.26 from 30. Infanterie-Division. I believe that the explanation from 'Axis Biographical Research' is not complete, even not correct.
All in all, I give much credit to the book 'Die Generale des Heeres' as it all fits together. Thank you both Jamie and Kitamura-San for the names of the books. I will take a look if available at bookstores or libraries in my region.

All the best,
Laurens

[Jan-Hendrik]

On which day Körte was wounded ?

Jan-Hendrik

[Elwyn]

Kitamura san,

Would you be kind enough to post Koerte with Demjansk shield? Most Heimdal books are out of print now.

Cheers
Elwyn