Knights Cross Recipients Who Are Still Living

Graetz and Lange ????

 

Yes, no one seems to know whether Erich Graetz is alive or not, so I included him (although he would be 102 this year), and Guenter Lange is still alive isn't he? I'm also not sure about Hermann Kunz or Hans Roeger. Help is always appreciated!

 

I found that Johannes Lawrenz passed away on Nov 12, 2009 as per WW2 awards.com

 

The fate of Graetz after the war is unknown but he is certainly not alive and probably MIA , no records of Lange have been found and if he existed at all he is long gone , the OdR Suchdienst and DF have no information about him at all !!

 

Hans Roeger died in 2009. What a shame, a warrior from the Grossdeutschland gone....RIP

 

I received a package from Georg Diers today. While not a Knights Cross winner, based on his performance in the Battle for Berlin, he certainly should have been awarded. He signed all three pictures I sent him. A great coup from one of the last Tiger 2 commanders in Berlin.

 

Hello,

I wanted to pass on some info that I found. Unfortunatly it is bad news.

Hans Joachim Heinrici passed away on 10-8-11
Georg Peschel passed away on 10-12-11

May they both Rest in Peace

 

Friedrich Adrario also passed away this month...
A lot of brave soldiers "leaving the battlefield" this year

 

Where did you hear that? I didnt see that he passed.

 

plese view the last postings on WAF, it is all there like most of this thread on this very site.

 

Hey

Could someone post the pictures received by ritterkreuztraegers?

 

If I knew how, I would...

 

Got a response today from Herr Gerhard Krems. He signed all of the photos and included a typed letter outlining his career. Outstanding to say the least.

 

Wouldn't that be boasting .............. ??

 

If you want my opinion, then I'd say yes, it would be boasting to post your entire collection. It's just like talking about the OdR, I'd imagine. Of course, if someone asked to see something specifically, it'd be polite to oblige. But someone flaunting the only little thing they have is tacky. I agree Paul, it would definatly boasting. But that's just my opinion, I'm not judging anyone.

 

Not sure how mentioning you are a member of the OdR is boasting or how posting the photos from your collection would be surely we are all here to share experience and our collections with each other !!

 

Exactly. We are all here to share and discuss because all of us are history enthusiasts. Thats why we should always help newcomers who want to write knights cross holders. Its a great feeling to be connected to history, even in a small way. Anyone who is interested should have a chance to experience it.

 

Some updates:
Karl-Gunter von Hase no longer replies to autograph requests. I received a letter from his family stating that he was 94 years old, is no longer in a position to sign, and hoped I would understand. They were friendly about it.

Today is Lorenz Neumayr's birthday! He is the youngest Knights Cross winner still alive, born on 10 November, 1926.

 

Got a reply today from Gerhard Simons and Gunter Wanhofer. Gerhard Simons wrote me a very thoughtful letter, explaining how he detests signing photos, and described, in english, his feelings about the war. He showed himself to be a great man.

 

Congrats on Wanhofer. Were the ones you sent, the real grainy ones or did you find some others? I have not received any responses in a few weeks but we shall see.