RK Holder Major Wilhelm Knetsch

[Andrew Hall]

Would someone have a photo of this Major (and possibly any earlier history) ? I would like to ascertain if it's the same man as in a photo I've puchased.

Thanks for any help

Andrew

[Denis]

Hello
Unfortunately, I don't have any photo from him.
Here is my little information about :

KNETSCH WILHELM
DoB : 26/02/1906
DoD : 27/03/1982
Last rank : OBERST
DKiG :26/09/1942 as Major INF. RGT. 545
RK : 08/10/1942 as Major INF. RGT. 545 (389. INF. DIV.)

Hope this helps (a little)
Regards
Denis

[Andrew Hall]

Denis,
Merci pour votre aide.
Andrew

[jmark]

Hi Andrew,

Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of Knetsch but I do have a full history of his wartime career. It is much too long to post in its entirety here, but I will give an abbreviated run down:

Wilhelm Friedrich Karl KNETSCH
Born 26. February 1906 in Marburg a.d. Lahn

Diensteintritt 4.4.1924
Leutnant 1.9.1928
Oblt. 1.10.1932
Hptm. 1.12.1935
Major 1.2.1941
Obstlt. 1.4.1942
Oberst 1.1.1944

1.9.39 - 31.10.1939: Adjutant (1.O.A.Lehrgang f. Schtz.-Kp.i.Döberitz)
1.11.39 - 31.12.39: Btl.-Kdr. (Inf.Ers.Btl.110)
1.1.40 - 15.6.40: Btl.-Kdr. (II./I.R. 104)
16.6.40 - 14.1.41: Lazarettaufenthalt (Verwundung)
15.1.41 - 30.4.41: Inspektionschef (Fhj.-Lehrg. Potsdam)
1.5.41 - 31.3.42: Sachb. f. Ausb. an. Uffz.-Schulen (OKH / In EB)
1.4.42 - 4.6.42: Btl.-Kdr. (II./I.R.578)
5.6.42 - 24.7.42: Rgt.-Fhr. (I.R.545)
25.7.42 - 15.11.42: Rgt.-Kdr. (I.R.545)
16.11.42 - 1.1.43: Lazarettaufenthalt (Krankheit)
2.1.43 - 19.5.44: Kdr. (Lehrstab 3 der Inf.-Schule)
20.5.1944 - ?: Kdr. (Verst./Inf.Lehr-Rgt.)

E.K.2 - 12.6.1940
Verw.Abz. - 13.6.1940
E.K.1 - 1.12.1940
Inf.Sturmabzeichen - 1.6.1942
DKiG - 1.10.1942
RK - 13.10.1942
EB - some time in 1944

During the attack on Stalingrad, Knetsch was awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knight's Cross with a fortnight of each other. And Paulus said that Knetsch was the best battalion commander in his entire army! Because of a severe illness, on 15. November 1942 he left the Feldheer.

If you need any more info, please ask.

Best wishes,
Jason Mark