Alois Eckert
...Born on 28 September 1916 in Mähring (Germany) and died as a result of his heavy wounds on 12 October 1943 in a fieldhospital, which he suffered a day before. Participated in all campaigns. Honoured with the Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse on 12.7.1940, Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse on 9.4.1942 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3.8.1942. Eckert earned the Knights Cross as Zugführer (Platoonleader) in the 9. Kompanie der Panzer-Regiment 33 "Prinz Eugen". He held the rank of Feldwebel at the time. His deathcard gives up his final rank as Oberfeldwebel.
I expect that his career (with exception of his training unit) started in Panzer-Regiment 3 due Panzer-Regiment 33 didn't participate in all campaigns unlike Panzer-Regiment 3. This gets confirmed due the I. Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment 3 would form the III. Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment 33 "Prinz Eugen" in May 1942. Finally the III. Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment 33 (with exception from the 10. Kompanie) would form the schwere Panzer-Abteilung 506.
To the end of his life it turned gruesome. All three Ritterkreuzträgers from Panzer-Regiment 33, whom would be the first RKTs in sPz.Abt.506, died in less than two months from eachother. Ritterkreuzträger Alois Eckert, died on 12.10.1943 from heavy wounds he suffered one day before; Gerhard Willing died on 29.10.1943 (other dates are mentioned aswell) and Heinrich Hendricks would die on 25.11.1943. On the 20th of October 1943 only 7 of 36 Tigers were still ready for combat.
In memory of Alois Eckert
Und freute mich auf's Wiederseh'n,
Wenn Krieg und Sturm zu Ende geh'n,
Doch anders hat's der Herr gewollt
Und hat von hier mich abgeholt.
Ich ruh in Rußlands Erd' mich aus,
Und bin in Gottes Vaterhaus.
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Both Panzer-Regiment 3 and 33 were (evt.) equipped with the Panzer V "Panther" and schwere Panzer-Abteilung 506 was equipped with the Tiger I and afterwards with the Tiger II.
...Born on 28 September 1916 in Mähring (Germany) and died as a result of his heavy wounds on 12 October 1943 in a fieldhospital, which he suffered a day before. Participated in all campaigns. Honoured with the Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse on 12.7.1940, Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse on 9.4.1942 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3.8.1942. Eckert earned the Knights Cross as Zugführer (Platoonleader) in the 9. Kompanie der Panzer-Regiment 33 "Prinz Eugen". He held the rank of Feldwebel at the time. His deathcard gives up his final rank as Oberfeldwebel.
I expect that his career (with exception of his training unit) started in Panzer-Regiment 3 due Panzer-Regiment 33 didn't participate in all campaigns unlike Panzer-Regiment 3. This gets confirmed due the I. Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment 3 would form the III. Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment 33 "Prinz Eugen" in May 1942. Finally the III. Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment 33 (with exception from the 10. Kompanie) would form the schwere Panzer-Abteilung 506.
To the end of his life it turned gruesome. All three Ritterkreuzträgers from Panzer-Regiment 33, whom would be the first RKTs in sPz.Abt.506, died in less than two months from eachother. Ritterkreuzträger Alois Eckert, died on 12.10.1943 from heavy wounds he suffered one day before; Gerhard Willing died on 29.10.1943 (other dates are mentioned aswell) and Heinrich Hendricks would die on 25.11.1943. On the 20th of October 1943 only 7 of 36 Tigers were still ready for combat.
In memory of Alois Eckert
Und freute mich auf's Wiederseh'n,
Wenn Krieg und Sturm zu Ende geh'n,
Doch anders hat's der Herr gewollt
Und hat von hier mich abgeholt.
Ich ruh in Rußlands Erd' mich aus,
Und bin in Gottes Vaterhaus.
---
Both Panzer-Regiment 3 and 33 were (evt.) equipped with the Panzer V "Panther" and schwere Panzer-Abteilung 506 was equipped with the Tiger I and afterwards with the Tiger II.
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