List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military of the Third Reich. Recipients are grouped by grades of the Knight's Cross. Within each grade the recipients are ordered chronologically. An exception is the lowest grade, here the recipients are ordered alphabetically by last name. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded. Broken out into sub lists are the recipients of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, one list for every year between 1940 and 1945 the award was presented. Also listed separately are the alphabetical lists of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients. The foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross and the foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves are listed separately as well.

The last legal presentation of the Knight's Cross, in any of its grades, had to be made before 23:01 Central European Time 8 May 1945, the time when the German surrender became effective. A number of presentations were made after this date, the last on 17 June 1945. These late presentations are considered de facto but not de jure awards. In 1986, the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) acknowledged 7,321 presentations made to the members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich for a total of 7,364 recipients.[1] Analysis of the German Federal Archives revealed evidence for 7,161 officially—de facto and de jure—bestowed recipients, including one additional presentation previously unidentified by the AKCR.[2] The AKCR names 890 recipients of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, including the eight recipients who served in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich. The German Federal Archives do not substantiate 27 of these Oak Leaves recipients. The Swords to the Knight's Cross were awarded 160 times according to the AKCR, among them the posthumous presentation to the Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, 13 of which cannot be supported by the German Federal Archives. The Diamonds to the Knight's Cross were awarded 27 times, all of which are verifiable in the German Federal Archives. The final grade, the Golden Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross was verifiably awarded once to Hans-Ulrich Rudel on 29 December 1944.

  This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
  This along with the * (asterisk), indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.

Background

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[3] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[4] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[5] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[6]

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross). This grade was awarded only once. The sole recipient was Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Göring, who at the same time was promoted to Reichsmarschall.[7]

Number	Name	Service	Rank	Role and unit	Date of award	Notes
1	Hermann Göring	Luftwaffe	Generalfeldmarschall	Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe[7]	19 July 1940	at the same time promoted to Reichsmarschall[7]

Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

The "Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds" is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944. This grade of the award was to be awarded twelve times only. The sole recipient was Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel.[8]

Number	Name	Service	Rank	Role and unit	Date of award	Notes
1	Hans-Ulrich Rudel	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant[9]	Geschwaderkommodore of Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[8]	29 December 1944[9]	at the same time promoted to Oberst[8]

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

The "Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds" is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 to reward those servicemen who had already been awarded the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Ultimately, it would be awarded to only twenty-seven German soldiers, sailors and airmen, ranging from young fighter pilots to field marshals.[10]

Number	Name	Service	Rank	Role and unit	Date of award	Notes
1	Werner Mölders	Luftwaffe	Oberst[11]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51[12]	15 July 1941[13][Note 1]	First pilot to 100 kills. Killed in plane crash November 22, 1941[13]
2	Adolf Galland	Luftwaffe	Oberst[15]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[12]	28 January 1942[15]	—
3	Gordon Gollob	Luftwaffe	Major[16]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77[12]	29 August 1942[16]	— First pilot to 150 kills, Aug42.
4	Hans-Joachim Marseille	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant[17]	Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 27[12]	3 September 1942[17]	KIA September 30, 1942[18]
5	Hermann Graf	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant of the Reserves[19]	Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[12]	16 September 1942[19]	First pilot to 200 kills, end of Sept 42. —
6	Erwin Rommel	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall[20]	Commander-in-chief of Deutsches Afrika Korps[12]	11 March 1943[21]	Committed suicide October 14, 1944[22]
7	Wolfgang Lüth	Kriegsmarine	Fregattenkapitän[23]	Commander of U-181[12]	9 August 1943[23]	Killed May 14, 1945[23]
8	Walter Nowotny	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[24]	Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[25]	19 October 1943[24]	KIA November 8, 1944[26]
9	Adelbert Schulz	Heer	Oberst[27]	Commander of Panzer-Regiment 25[25]	14 December 1943[27]	KIA January 28, 1944[27]
10	Hans-Ulrich Rudel+	Luftwaffe	Major[28]	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[25]	29 March 1944[9]	Awarded 1st (and only) Golden Oak Leaves 29 December 1944[9]
11	Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz	Heer	Oberst[29]	Commander of a Panzer Group in the Heeresgruppe Nord[25]	15 April 1944[29]	Promoted to Generalmajor with the Diamonds[25]
12	Herbert Otto Gille	Waffen-SS	SS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS[29]	Commander of 5. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"[25]	19 April 1944[30]	—
13	Hans Hube	Heer	General der Panzertruppe[31]	Commander of 1. Panzerarmee[25]	20 April 1944[32]	Promoted to Generaloberst with the Diamonds,[25] killed in a plane crash April 21, 1944[32]
14	Albert Kesselring	Luftwaffe	Generalfeldmarschall[32]	OB Süd (Heeresgruppe C)[25]	19 July 1944[33]	—
15	Helmut Lent	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant	Geschwaderkommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 3[25]	31 July 1944[34]	KIA October 7, 1944[35]
16	Josef Dietrich	Waffen-SS	SS-Oberstgruppenführer and Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS[35]	Commanding general of I. SS-Panzerkorps "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[25][Note 2]	6 August 1944[37]	—
17	Walter Model	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall[37]	Commander in chief of Heeresgruppe Mitte[25]	17 August 1944[38]	Committed suicide April 21, 1945[38]
18	Erich Hartmann	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant[38]	Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[25]	25 August 1944[39]	—
19	Hermann Balck	Heer	General der Panzertruppe[40]	Acting commander of 4. Panzerarmee[25]	31 August 1944[40]	—
20	Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke	Luftwaffe	Generalleutnant[41]	Commander of Fortress Brest[42]	19 September 1944[43]	Awarded the Swords simultaneously with the Diamonds.[43]
21	Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[43]	Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[42]	16 October 1944[44]	—
22	Albrecht Brandi	Kriegsmarine	Fregattenkapitän[45]	Commander of U-967[42]	24 November 1944[45]	—
23	Ferdinand Schörner	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall[46]	Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Nord[42]	1 January 1945[46]	—
24	Hasso-Eccard von Manteuffel	Heer	General der Panzertruppe[46]	Commander-in-chief of 5. Panzerarmee[42]	18 February 1945[47]	—
25	Theodor Tolsdorff	Heer	Generalmajor[47]	Commander of 340. Volks-Grenadier-Division[42]	18 March 1945[48]	—
26	Dr. med. dent. Karl Mauss	Heer	Generalleutnant[49]	Commander of 7. Panzer-Division[42]	15 April 1945[49]	—
27	Dietrich von Saucken	Heer	General der Panzertruppe[49]	Commander-in-chief of Armeeoberkommando East Prussia[42]	8 May 1945[50]	—

Rank on day of award	Heer	Waffen-SS	Kriegsmarine	Luftwaffe	Foreigners	Totals
Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral	2			1		3
Generaloberst / Generaladmiral	1	1				2
General der Infanterie etc. / Admiral	4					4
Generalleutnant / Vizeadmiral	1	1		1		3
Generalmajor / Konteradmiral	1					1
Oberst / Kapitän zur See	2			2		4
Oberstleutnant / Fregattenkapitän				1		1
Major / Korvettenkapitän			2	2		4
Hauptmann / Kapitänleutnant				2		2
Oberleutnant / Oberleutnant zur See				3		3
Totals	11	2	2	12		27

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Year	Number of presentations	Posthumous presentations
1941	5	0
1942	18	1
1943	20	2
1944	76	10
1945	41	2

The "Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords" is also based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 to reward those servicemen who had already been awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The sequential numbers greater than 143 are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and therefore denoted in brackets.[51] The number of the 160 Sword recipients is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the (AKCR).[52] Author Veit Scherzer has challenged the validity of 13 of these listings.[2] The majority—12 recipients—of these disputed recipients have received the award in 1945. The deteriorating situation of the Third Reich during the final days of World War II has left the nominations unfinished in various stages of the approval process. Hermann Fegelein had received the Oak Leaves in 1942 but was sentenced to death by Adolf Hitler and executed by SS-Gruppenführer Johann Rattenhuber's Reichssicherheitsdienst (RSD) on 28 April 1945 after a court martial led by SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke. The sentence was carried out the same day. The death sentence, according to German law, resulted in the loss of all orders and honorary signs.[53]

No.	Name	Service	Rank	Role and unit	Date of award	Notes
1	Adolf Galland+	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant[15]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[54]	21 June 1941[15]	Awarded 2nd Diamonds 28 January 1942[15]
2	Werner Mölders+	Luftwaffe	Major[13]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51[54]	22 June 1941	Awarded 1st Diamonds 15 July 1941[13]
3	Walter Oesau	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 3[54]	15 July 1941[Note 3]	KIA May 11, 1944
4	Günther Lützow	Luftwaffe	Major	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3[54]	11 October 1941	—
5	Otto Kretschmer	Kriegsmarine	Korvettenkapitän	Commander of U-99[54]	26 December 1941	—
6	Erwin Rommel+	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commander of Panzergruppe Afrika[54]	20 January 1942[20]	Awarded 6th Diamonds 11 March 1943[21]
7	Heinrich Bär	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[Note 4]	Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[54]	16 February 1942	—
8	Hans Philipp	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[57]	Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[54]	12 March 1942[58]	KIA October 8, 1943[59]
9	Herbert Ihlefeld	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 77[54]	24 April 1942	—
10	Max-Hellmuth Ostermann	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant[59]	Staffelkapitän of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 54[54]	17 May 1942[60]	KIA August 9, 1942[61]
11	Hermann Graf+	Luftwaffe	Leutnant of the Reserves[19]	Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[54]	19 May 1942[17][Note 5]	Awarded 5th Diamonds 16 September 1942[19]
12	Hans-Joachim Marseille+	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant[17]	Staffelkapitän of the 3./Jagdgeschwader 27[54]	18 June 1942[17]	Awarded 4th Diamonds 3 September 1942[17]
13	Gordon Gollob+	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[16]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77[63]	23 June 1942[16]	Awarded 3rd Diamonds 30 August 1942[16]
14	Leopold Steinbatz	Luftwaffe	Oberfeldwebel[61]	Pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[63]	23 June 1942*	KIA 15 June 1942[64]
15	Albert Kesselring+	Luftwaffe	Generalfeldmarschall[32]	OB Süd[63]	18 July 1942[32]	Awarded 14th Diamonds 19 July 1944[33]
16	Werner Baumbach	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 30[63]	17 August 1942[Note 6]	—
17	Erich Topp	Kriegsmarine	Kapitänleutnant	Commander of U-552[63]	17 August 1942	—
18	Reinhard Suhren	Kriegsmarine	Kapitänleutnant	Commander of U-564[63]	1 September 1942	—
19	Joachim Müncheberg	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Deputy Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"[63]	9 September 1942	KIA March 23, 1943
20	Joachim Helbig	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Gruppenkommandeur of the I. (Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1[63]	28 September 1942	—
21	Karl Eibl	Heer	Generalmajor[66]	Commander of 385. Infanterie-Division[63]	19 December 1942[66]	KIA January 21, 1943[67]
22	Hans Hube+	Heer	Generalleutnant[31]	Commanding general of the XIV. Panzerkorps[63]	21 December 1942[31]	Awarded 13th Diamonds 20 April 1944[32]
23	Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke	Luftwaffe	Major[68]	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[63]	23 December 1942[68]	— KIA March 23, 1944[66]
24	Alfred Druschel	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[66]	Deputy Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 1[63]	19 February 1943	—
25	Hermann Balck+	Heer	Generalleutnant[40]	Commander of 11. Panzer-Division[63]	4 March 1943[40]	Awarded 19th Diamonds 31 August 1944[40]
26	Josef Dietrich+	Waffen-SS	SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS[69]	Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[63]	14 March 1943[69]	Awarded 16th Diamonds 6 August 1944[37]
27	Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz+	Heer	Oberst of the Reserves[70]	Commander of Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland"[71]	28 March 1943[70]	Awarded 11th Diamonds 15 April 1944[29]
28	Walter Model+	Heer	Generaloberst[72]	Commander-in-chief of 9. Armee[71]	2 April 1943[72]	Awarded 17th Diamonds 17 August 1944 Committed suicide April 21, 1945[38]
29	Wolfgang Lüth+	Kriegsmarine	Korvettenkapitän[23]	Commander of U-181[71]	15 April 1943[23]	Awarded 7th Diamonds 9 August 1943[23]
30	Walter Gorn	Heer	Oberst	Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10[71]	8 June 1943	—
31	Dietrich Peltz	Luftwaffe	Oberst im Generalstab	Angriffsführer England[71]	23 July 1943	—
32	Helmut Lent+	Luftwaffe	Major	Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[71]	2 August 1943	Awarded 15th Diamonds 31 July 1944[34]
33	Adelbert Schulz+	Heer	Oberstleutnant[27]	Commander of Panzer-Regiment 25[71]	6 August 1943[27]	Awarded 9th Diamonds 14 December 1943; KIA January 28, 1944[27]
34	Günther Rall	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 52[71]	12 September 1943	—
35	Hermann Hoth	Heer	Generaloberst[67]	Commander-in-chief of 4. Panzerarmee[71]	15 September 1943[73]	—
36	Josef Harpe	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of XXXXI Panzerkorps[71]	15 September 1943	—
37	Walter Nowotny+	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[24]	Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Jagdgeschwader 54[71]	22 September 1943	Awarded 8th Diamonds 19 October 1943; KIA November 8, 1944[74]
38	Waldemar von Gazen, called von Gaza	Heer	Major	Leader of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66[71]	3 October 1943	—
39	August Dieckmann	Waffen-SS	SS-Obersturmbannführer	Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland"[75]	10 October 1943*	KIA 10 October 1943[76]
40	Günther Hans von Kluge	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall	Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Mitte[71]	29 October 1943	Committed suicide August 19, 1944
41	Gerhard Graf von Schwerin	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 16. Panzergrenadier-Division[71]	4 November 1943	—
42	Hans-Ulrich Rudel+	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[28]	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[71][Note 7]	25 October 1943[28]	Awarded 10th Diamonds 29 March 1944; 1st Golden Oak Leaves 29 December 1944[9]
43	Hajo Herrmann	Luftwaffe	Oberst	Inspekteur der deutschen Luftverteidigung[78][Note 8]	23 January 1944	—
44	Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein	Luftwaffe	Major	Geschwaderkommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2[78]	23 January 1944*	KIA 21 January 1944[80]
45	Erich Bärenfänger	Heer	Major[73]	Commander of the III./Grenadier-Regiment. 123[78]	23 January 1944[81]	Committed suicide May 2, 1945[82]
46	Dietrich von Saucken+	Heer	Generalleutnant[49]	Commander of 4. Panzer-Division[78]	31 January 1944[50]	Awarded 27th Diamonds 8 May 1945[50]
47	Herbert Otto Gille+	Waffen-SS	SS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS[29]	Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier Division "Wiking"[78]	20 February 1944[30]	Awarded 12th Diamonds 19 April 1944[30]
48	Hermann Breith	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of III. Panzerkorps[78]	21 February 1944	—
49	Dr. med.dent. Franz Bäke	Heer	Oberstleutnant of the Reserves[82]	Commander of Panzer-Regiment 11[78]	21 February 1944[83]	—
50	Hasso-Eccard von Manteuffel+	Heer	Generalleutnant[84]	Commander of 7. Panzer-Division[78]	22 February 1944'[84]	Awarded 24th Diamonds 18 February 1945[47]
51	Egon Mayer	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[78]	2 March 1944*	KIA 2 March 1944[85]
52	Gerhard Barkhorn	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[83]	Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 52[78]	2 March 1944[86]	—
53	Franz Griesbach	Heer	Oberst	Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 399[78]	6 March 1944	—
54	Werner Streib	Luftwaffe	Major	Geschwaderkommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[78]	11 March 1944	—
55	Richard Heidrich	Luftwaffe	Generalleutnant	Commander of 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division[78]	25 March 1944	—
56	Hinrich Schuldt	Waffen-SS	SS-Oberführer	Commander of 2. lett. SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade[78]	25 March 1944*	KIA 15 March 1944[87]
57	Georg-Wilhelm Postel	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 320. Infanterie-Division[78]	26 March 1944	—
58	Wend von Wietersheim	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 11. Panzer-Division[78]	26 March 1944	—
59	Erich von Lewinski, called von Manstein	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall	Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Süd[88]	30 March 1944	—
60	Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall	Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe A[88]	30 March 1944	—
61	Alwin Boerst	Luftwaffe	Major[89]	Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[88]	6 April 1944*[90]	KIA 30 March 1944[91]
62	Dr. jur. Ernst Kupfer	Luftwaffe	Oberst	Former Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2[88]	11 April 1944*	Killed in flying accident 6 November 1943[92]
63	Hans Kreysing	Heer	General der Gebirgstruppe	Commanding general of XVII. Armeekorps[88]	13 April 1944	—
64	Hans Jordan	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commanding general of VI. Armeekorps[88]	20 April 1944	—
65	Hermann Prieß	Waffen-SS	SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS[93]	Commander of 3. SS-Panzer Division "Totenkopf"[88]	24 April 1944[94]	—
66	Albrecht Brandi+	Kriegsmarine	Fregattenkapitän[45]	Commander of U-380[88]	9 May 1944[45]	Awarded 22nd Diamonds 24 November 1944[45]
67	Ludwig Heilmann	Luftwaffe	Oberst	Commander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3[88]	15 May 1944	—
68	Georg-Hans Reinhardt	Heer	Generaloberst	Commander-in-chief of 3. Panzerarmee[88]	26 May 1944	—
69	Horst Niemack	Heer	Oberst	Commander of Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"[88]	4 June 1944	—
70	Alfons König	Heer	Oberstleutnant of the Reserves	Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 199 "List"[88]	9 June 1944	— KIA July 8, 1944
71	Michael Wittmann	Waffen-SS	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Chief of the 2./schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 501[88][Note 9]	22 June 1944	KIA 8 August 1944[88]
72	Eduard Dietl	Heer	Generaloberst	Commander-in-chief of 20. Gebirgsarmee[88]	1 July 1944*	Killed in flying accident 23 June 1944[36]
73	Josef Priller	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"[88]	2 July 1944	—
74	Friedrich Lang	Luftwaffe	Major	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 1[88]	2 July 1944	—
75	Erich Hartmann+	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant[38]	Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52[88]	4 July 1944[39]	Awarded 18th Diamonds 25 August 1944[39]
76	Smilo Freiherr von Lüttwitz	Heer	Generalleutnant[94]	Commander of 26. Panzer-Division[96]	4 July 1944[97]	—
77	Hans Dorr	Waffen-SS	SS-Sturmbannführer	Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania"[96]	9 July 1944	Died of wounds 17 April 1945[96]
78	Anton Hackl	Luftwaffe	Major	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 11[96]	9 July 1944[Note 10]	—
79	Reiner Stahel	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of Fester Platz Wilna[96]	18 July 1944	—
80	Theodor Tolsdorff+	Heer	Oberstleutnant[48]	Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 1067 and leader of a Kampfgruppe[96]	18 July 1944[48]	Awarded 25th Diamonds 18 March 1945[48]
81	Fritz Bayerlein	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of Panzer-Lehr-Division[96]	20 July 1944	—
82	Johannes Steinhoff	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77[96]	28 July 1944	—
83	Hermann Fegelein?[Note 11]	Waffen-SS	SS-Gruppenführer[101]	Commander of 8. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division "Florian Geyer"[96]	30 July 1944	Executed April 28, 1945[102]
84	Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer+	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann[43]	Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1[96]	30 July 1944[43][Note 12]	Awarded 21st Diamonds 16 October 1944[44]
85	Fritz von Scholz Edler von Rarancze	Waffen-SS	SS-Gruppenführer	Commander of 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier Division "Nordland"[96]	8 August 1944*	KIA 28 July 1944[104]
86	Felix Steiner	Waffen-SS	SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS	Commanding general of III. germanische SS-Panzerkorps[96]	10 August 1944	—
87	Walter Fries	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 29. Panzergrenadier Division[96]	11 August 1944	—
88	Kurt Bühligen	Luftwaffe	Major	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[96]	14 August 1944	—
89	Dr. rer. pol., Dr. Ing. Johannes Mayer	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 329. Infanterie-Division[96]	23 August 1944	—
90	Paul Hausser	Waffen-SS	SS-Oberstgruppenführer and Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS	Commander-in-chief of 7. Armee[96]	28 August 1944	—
91	Kurt Meyer	Waffen-SS	SS-Standartenführer	Commander of 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend"[105]	27 August 1944	—
92	Robert Ritter von Greim	Luftwaffe	Generaloberst	Commander-in-chief of Luftflotte 6[105]	28 August 1944[Note 13]	—
93	Ferdinand Schörner+	Heer	Generaloberst[107]	Commander-in-chief of Heeresgruppe Nord[105]	28 August 1944[46]	Awarded 23rd Diamonds 1 January 1945[46]
94	Theodor Wisch	Waffen-SS	SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS	Commander of 1. SS-Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[105]	30 August 1944	—
95	Otto Baum	Waffen-SS	SS-Standartenführer	Commander of 2. SS-Panzer Division "Das Reich"[105]	2 September 1944	—
96	Hans Kroh	Luftwaffe	Oberst	Leader of 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division[105]	12 September 1944	—
97	Wilhelm Wegener	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commanding general of L. Armeekorps[105]	17 September 1944	KIA September 24, 1944
98	Theodor Nordmann	Luftwaffe	Major	Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Schlachtgeschwader 1[105]	17 September 1944	—
99	Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke+	Luftwaffe	Generalleutnant[41]	Commander of fortress Brest[105]	19 September 1944[43]	Awarded 20th Diamonds simultaneously with the Swords 19 September 1944[43]
100	Otto von Knobelsdorff	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of XXXX. Panzerkorps[105]	21 September 1944	—
101	Dr. med. dent. Karl Mauss+	Heer	Generalleutnant[49]	Commander of 7. Panzer-Division[105]	23 October 1944	Awarded 26th Diamonds 15 April 1945[49]
102	Werner Ziegler	Heer	Major	Leader of Grenadier-Regiment 186[105]	23 October 1944	—
103	Fritz Feßmann	Heer	Hauptmann of the Reserves	Commander of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5[105]	23 October 1944*	KIA 11 October 1944[108]
104	Hermann Recknagel	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commanding general of XXXXII. Armeekorps[105]	23 October 1944	KIA January 23, 1945
105	Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 24. Panzer-Division[105]	23 October 1944	—
106	Hans Källner	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 19. Panzer-Division[105]	23 October 1944	KIA April 18, 1945
107	Werner Mummert	Heer	Oberst of the Reserves	Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 103[109]	23 October 1944	—
108	Josef Wurmheller	Luftwaffe	Hauptmann	Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[109]	24 October 1944*	KIA 22 June 1944[110]
109	Dr. rer. pol. Hermann Hohn	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 72. Infanterie-Division[109]	31 October 1944	—
110	Hans von Obstfelder	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commanding general of LXXXVI. Armeekorps[109]	5 November 1944	—
111	Ernst-Günther Baade	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 90. Panzergrenadier Division[109]	16 November 1944	KIA May 8, 1945
112	Karl-Lothar Schulz	Luftwaffe	Oberst	Leader of 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division[109]	18 November 1944	—
113	Otto Kittel	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant	Staffelkapitän of the 2./Jagdgeschwader 54[109]	25 November 1944	KIA February 14/16 1945
114	Georg Freiherr von Boeselager	Heer	Oberstleutnant	Leader of 3. Kavallerie-Brigade[109]	28 November 1944*	KIA 26 August 1944[91]
115	Helmuth Weidling	Heer	General der Artillerie	Commanding general of XXXXI. Panzerkorps[109]	28 November 1944	—
116	Heinz Harmel	Waffen-SS	SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS	Commander of 10. SS-Panzer Division "Frundsberg"[111]	15 December 1944	—
117	Traugott Herr	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of LXXVI. Panzerkorps[109]	18 December 1944	—
118	Alfred-Hermann Reinhardt	Heer	Generalleutnant	Commander of 98. Infanterie-Division[109]	24 December 1944	—
119	Joachim Peiper	Waffen-SS	SS-Obersturmbannführer	Commander of SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[112]	11 January 1945	—
120	Walter Krüger	Waffen-SS	SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS	Commanding general of VI. Waffen-Armeekorps der SS[112][Note 14]	11 January 1945	Committed suicide May 22, 1945
121	Wolfgang Kretzschmar	Heer	Oberst	Commander of Jäger-Regiment 24 (L)[112]	12 January 1945*	KIA 27 December 1944[114]
122	Dr. jur. Lothar Rendulic	Heer	Generaloberst	Commander-in-chief of 20. Gebirgs-Armee[112]	18 January 1945	—
123	Maximilian Wengler	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 227. Infanterie-Division[112]	21 January 1945	KIA April 25, 1945
124	Walther Nehring	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of XXIV. Panzerkorps[112]	22 January 1945	—
125	Hermann Hogeback	Luftwaffe	Oberstleutnant	Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 6[112]	26 January 1945	—
126	Erich Rudorffer	Luftwaffe	Major[102]	Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54[112]	26 January 1945[115]	—
127	Friedrich Kirchner	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of LVII. Panzerkorps[112]	26 January 1945	—
128	Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commanding general of LXVIII. Armeekorps[112]	27 January 1945	—
129	Helmut Dörner	Waffen-SS	SS-Oberführer	Leader of a Kampfgruppe in the 4. SS-Polizei Panzergrenadier Division[112]	1 February 1945	KIA February 11, 1945
130	Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert	Luftwaffe	Oberleutnant	Staffelkapitän of the 14./Jagdgeschwader 27[112]	1 February 1945	—
131	Erich Walther	Luftwaffe	Oberst	Leader of Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Division 2 "Hermann Göring"[112]	1 February 1945	—
132	Max Sachsenheimer	Heer	Generalmajor[116]	Commander of 17. Infanterie-Division[112]	6 February 1945[117]	—
133	Gerd von Rundstedt	Heer	Generalfeldmarschall	OB West[112]	18 February 1945	—
134	Dietrich von Müller	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 16. Panzer-Division[112]	20 February 1945	—
135	Friedrich Schulz	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commander-in-chief of 17. Armee[112]	26 February 1945	—
136	Gotthard Heinrici	Heer	Generaloberst	Commander-in-chief of 1. Panzerarmee[118]	3 March 1945	—
137	Heinz-Georg Lemm	Heer	Oberstleutnant[117]	Commander of Füsilier-Regiment 27[118]	15 March 1945[119]	—
138	Otto Kumm	Waffen-SS	SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS	Commander of 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen"[118]	17 Mar 1945	—
139	Walter Hartmann	Heer	General der Artillerie	Commanding general of VIII. Armeekorps[118]	18 March 1945	—
140	Georg Bochmann	Waffen-SS	SS-Oberführer[120]	Leader of 18. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel"[118]	30 March 1945[121]	—
141	Arthur Jüttner	Heer	Oberst	Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 164[118]	5 April 1945	—
142	Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowski	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 20. Panzer-Division[118]	17 April 1945	—
143	Hellmuth Mäder	Heer	Generalmajor[121]	Commander of Führer-Grenadier Division[118]	18 April 1945[122]	—
(144)	Werner Schröer	Luftwaffe	Major	Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[118]	19 April 1945[Note 15]	—
(145)	Wilhelm Batz	Luftwaffe	Major	Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 52[118]	21 April 1945	—
(146)	Johannes Blaskowitz	Heer	Generaloberst	OB Niederlande[118]	24 April 1945	—
(147)	Hermann Niehoff?[Note 16]	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commander of fortress Breslau[118]	26 April 1945	—
(148)	Hermann-Heinrich Behrend	Heer	Generalmajor	Commander of 490. Infanterie-Division[118]	26 April 1945	—
(149)	Karl Decker?[Note 17]	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of XXXIX. Panzerkorps[118]	26 April 1945*	Committed suicide 21 April 1945[127]
(150)	Otto Weidinger?[Note 18]	Waffen-SS	SS-Obersturmbannführer[122]	Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer"[118]	6 May 1945[129]	—
(151)	Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny?[Note 19]	Waffen-SS	SS-Obersturmbannführer	Commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland"[118]	6 May 1945	—
(152)	Sylvester Stadler?[Note 20]	Waffen-SS	SS-Oberführer	Commander of 9. SS-Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen"[118]	6 May 1945	—
(153)	Wilhelm Bittrich?[Note 21]	Waffen-SS	SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS	Commanding general of II. SS-Panzerkorps[118]	6 May 1945	—
(154)	Fritz-Hubert Gräser?[Note 22]	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commander-in-chief of 4. Panzerarmee[118]	8 May 1945	—
(155)	Eugen Meindl?[Note 23]	Luftwaffe	General der Fallschirmtruppe	Commanding general of II. Fallschirm-Korps[135]	8 May 1945	—
(156)	Karl Alfred Thieme?[Note 24]	Heer	Oberstleutnant	Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111[135]	9 May 1945	—
(157)	Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz?[Note 25]	Heer	General der Panzertruppe	Commanding general of XXXXVII. Panzerkorps[135]	9 May 1945	—
(158)	Otto Hitzfeld?[Note 26]	Heer	General der Infanterie	Commanding general of LXVII. Armeekorps[135]	9 May 1945	—
(159)	Josef Bremm?[Note 27]	Heer	Oberstleutnant	Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 990[135]	9 May 1945	—
	Isoroku Yamamoto	Imperial Japanese Navy	Fleet Admiral	Commander-in-chief of the IJN Combined Fleet[135]	27 May 1943*	KIA 18 April 1943[140]

Rank on day of award	Heer	Waffen-SS	Kriegsmarine	Luftwaffe	Foreigners	Totals
Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral	4			1	1	6
Generaloberst / Generaladmiral	8	1		1		10
General der Infanterie etc. / Admiral	21	4		1		26
Generalleutnant / Vizeadmiral	13	3		2		18
Generalmajor / Konteradmiral	12	4				16
Oberst / Kapitän zur See	7	6		7		20
Oberstleutnant / Fregattenkapitän	8	4		6		18
Major / Korvettenkapitän	3	1	1	13		18
Hauptmann / Kapitänleutnant	1		4	15		20
Oberleutnant / Oberleutnant zur See		1		5		6
Leutnant / Leutnant zur See				1		1
Oberfeldwebel / Oberwachtmeister				1		1
Totals	77	24	5	53	1	160

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Year	Number of presentations	Posthumous presentations
1940	7	0
1941	50	3
1942	111	7
1943	192	17
1944	328	46
1945	194	19

The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves was based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940. A total of 7 awards were made in 1940; 50 in 1941; 111 in 1942; 192 in 1943; 328 in 1944, and 194 in 1945, giving a total of 882 recipients—excluding the 8 foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

The number of 882 Oak Leaves recipients is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[52] Author Veit Scherzer has challenged the validity of 27 of these listings.[2] With the exception of Hermann Fegelein, all of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of the Third Reich during the final days of World War II left the nominations unfinished in various stages of the approval process.[141]

• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1940–1941)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1942)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1943)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1944)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves recipients (1945)

Rank on day of award	Heer	Waffen-SS	Kriegsmarine	Luftwaffe	Foreigners	Totals
Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral	6		1	1	3	11
Generaloberst / Generaladmiral	11			3	1	15
General der Infanterie etc. / Admiral	50	8	2	4		64
Generalleutnant / Vizeadmiral	77	6	1	5	2	91
Generalmajor / Konteradmiral	43	9	1	5	1	59
Oberst / Kapitän zur See	78	12	5	8		103
Oberstleutnant / Fregattenkapitän	47	19	3	19		88
Major / Korvettenkapitän	73	9	11	53	1	147
Hauptmann / Kapitänleutnant	68	6	24	76		174
Oberleutnant / Oberleutnant zur See	19	4	5	40		68
Leutnant / Leutnant zur See	11	1		21		33
Stabsfeldwebel / Stabswachtmeister	1					1
Oberfeldwebel / Oberwachtmeister	17			7		24
Feldwebel / Wachtmeister	5			4		9
Unteroffizier / Oberjäger	3					3
Totals	509	74	53	246	8	890

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Year	Number of presentations	Posthumous presentations
1939	26	0
1940	448	9
1941	787	34
1942	975	68
1943	1,422	136
1944	2,468	240
1945	1,195	94

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross).

• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (A)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Ba–Bm)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Bn–Bz)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (C)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (D)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (E)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (F)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (G)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Ha–Hm)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Hn–Hz)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (I)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (J)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Ka–Km)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Kn–Kz)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (L)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (M)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (N)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (O)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (P)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Q)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (R)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Sa–Schr)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Schu–Sz)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (T)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (U)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (V)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (W)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (X)
• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Z)

Beginning letter	Recipients According to AKCR	Additional recipients According to Veit Scherzer	Delisted According to AKCR	Disputed According to Veit Scherzer
A	118[142]	—	1[143]	3[144]
Ba–Bm, Bn–Bz	368[145] + 357[146] = 725	—	1[147]	13[148] + 8[149] = 21
C	82[150]	—	—	—
D	238[151]	—	—	6[152]
E	188[153]	—	—	3[154]
F	280[155]	—	1[156]	12[157]
G	380[158]	—	1[159]	11[160]
Ha–Hm, Hn–Hz	437[161] + 224[162] = 661	—	1[163]	15[164] + 14[165] = 29
I	26[166]	—	—	—
J	142[167]	—	1[156]	4
Ka–Km, Kn–Kz	289[168] + 428[169] = 717	—	1[170]	4[171] + 8[172] = 12
L	386[173]	—	—	16[174]
M	457[175]	—	1	7
N	145[176]	—	2[177]	2[124]
O	82[178]	—	—	2[179]
P	324[180]	—	1	5[181]
Q	7[182]	—	—	—
R	447[183]	1[184]	—	11
Sa–Schr, Schu–Sz	457[185] + 603[186] = 1,060	—	—	11[187] + 14[188] = 25
T	182[189]	—	—	5
U	32[190]	—	—	1[191]
V	92[192]	—	—	5
W	446[193]	—	—	11
X	1	—	—	—
Z	103[194]	—	—	2[195]
Totals	7,321	1	11	193

Non-existent recipients

Since the end of World War II, numerous people have claimed to be unrecognised recipients of the Knight's Cross. The majority of these "recipients" are lacking any evidence to sustain their claims and are thus denied the right to consider themselves "legal recipients". There are two cases where the legal proof of the award exists even though the recipients do not. These two "legally correct" recipients are Günther Nowak and Heinrich Scherhorn.[196]

Günther Nowak, Hitlerjugend, was awarded the Knight's Cross on 14 February 1945 for the destruction of eleven tanks in Hindenburg, Oberschlesien. It was always assumed that he was the youngest recipient of the Knight's Cross; however, Günther Nowak never really existed — a deserting Commander of the Volkssturm named Sachs was caught and claimed that, after the retreat of the Wehrmacht, he had destroyed five tanks single-handedly. Because of this, he was taken to a Gauleiter. Fearing that his lie would be unveiled, he created the story of Günther Nowak in order to lessen his own "feat". This report was then sent to Reichsleiter Martin Bormann. Bormann immediately awarded the German Cross in Gold to the Volkssturm-Commander Sachs and the Knight's Cross to Nowak.[196]

Foreign recipients

Foreign servicemen who did not serve in the German Wehrmacht or the Waffen-SS during World War II and were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross or its higher grade the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves are listed in the List of foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Notes

1. According to Scherzer on 16 July 1941.[14]
2. According to Scherzer as commanding general of the I. SS-Panzerkorps.[36]
3. According to Scherzer on 16 July 1941.[55]
4. According to Scherzer as Hauptmann of the Reserves.[56]
5. According to Scherzer on 18 May 1942.[62]
6. According to Scherzer on 16 August 1942.[65]
7. According to Scherzer as leader of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann".[77]
8. According to Scherzer as Inspekteur der Nachtjagd in the Reichsluftfahrtministerium and commander of the 30. Jagd-Division[79]
9. According to Scherzer as chief of the 2./schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 101.[95]
10. According to Scherzer on 12 July 1944.[98]
11. Hermann Fegelein was sentenced to death by Hitler and executed by SS General Johann Rattenhuber's Reichssicherheitsdienst on 28 April 1945 after a court-martial led by SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke. The sentence was carried out the same day.[99] The death sentence resulted in the loss of all orders and honorary signs.[100]
12. According to Scherzer on 3 August 1944.[103]
13. According to Scherzer on 27 August 1944.[106]
14. According to Scherzer as commanding general of the VI. SS-Freiwilligen Armeekorps[113]
15. According to Scherzer on 16 April 1945.[123]
16. The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Swords to Hermann Niehoff. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) only assumes that the Swords were awarded. According to Niehoff's testimony he was nominated by Gauleiter Karl Hanke. The date and sequential number "147" were assigned by the AKCR. Niehoff was a member of the AKCR.[124]
17. The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Swords to Karl Decker. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) assumes that the presentation fell into the timeframe 20 April 1945 to 29 April 1945. It is assumed that the nomination was approved on 26 April 1945.[125] Scherzer states that the assumption is based on a statement from Decker's widow. She claimed that she had been informed that her husband had received the award. The date and sequential number "149" were assigned by the AKCR.[126]
18. The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Swords to Otto Weidinger. The award was unlawfully presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "150" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR), who counted Weidinger in their number.[128]
19. The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Swords to Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny. The award was unlawfully presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "151" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Wisliceny was a member of the AKCR.[130]
20. The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Swords to Sylvester Stadler, also not mentioned by the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). According to Fellgiebel, the award was presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich, which would make it an unlawful presentation. Fellgiebel is referring to Hermann Buch, the former IIa (personnel administration) of the 2. SS-Division "Das Reich", and Wilhelm Kment, the adjutant of Heinrich Himmler and liaison officer to the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office), as sources. Buch reported on 25 June 2004 that he hadn't to do anything with this case. Stadler himself claimed that Dietrich proposed him on 22 March 1945, even though the 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" was not subordinated to the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "152" was assigned by the AKCR. The date might have been taken from Ernst-Günther Krätschmer.[131]
21. The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Swords to Wilhelm Bittrich. The award was unlawfully presented SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "153" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Bittrich was a member of the AKCR.[132]
22. Fritz-Hubert Gräser's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Personnel Office) on 29 April 1945. General Ernst Maisel noted: "I approve the nomination! 30 April". The nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross only notes the nomination entry date as 29 April 1945. There is no indication that the award was granted. The paperwork was not finalized by the end of the war. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "154" and presentation date were assigned by the AKCR.[133]
23. Eugen Meindl's nomination by the troop was approved by each of his commanding officers. However the nomination contains no final remark on the proceedings. Oberst Nicolaus von Below, Hitler's Luftwaffe adjutant, had sent a teleprinter message to the commanding general of the Fallschirmarmee Generaloberst Kurt Student, requesting a statement for this nomination. The copy of the teleprinter message contains a note: resubmission "23 April 1945". It seems that the statement was never returned. The paperwork was not finalized by the end of the war. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "155" was assigned by the AKCR. Fellgiebel assigned the presentation date. Meindl is mentioned on a list of the Oberbefehlshaber Nordwest for "Nominations and Bestowal of War Awards" from May 1945. This list, which was intended to be presented to Karl Dönitz, contained twelve names of pending nominations which had been submitted via the chain of command. Dönitz has never signed this list, most likely he has never even seen this list. The responsible personnel offices awarded or declined eight nominations from this list by the end of the war by, two remained unprocessed by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Personnel Office) and Luftwaffenpersonalamt (LPA — Luftwaffe Personnel Office) and two further were left ready for signing at the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht/Wehrmacht-Führungsstab (OKW/WFSt—Oberkommando der Wehrmacht/Wehrmacht-Führungsstab—leadership staff of the Army High Command).[134]
24. Karl Thieme's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Personnel Office) on 10 April 1945 via teleprinter. Major Joachim Domaschk noted "By no means sufficient! Requesting statement from OB West", which was requested on 13 April. OB West responded on 24 April (entry date at the Heerespersonalamt on 28 April): "Statement from OB West not possible, since nomination was not made via OB West". Major Joachim Domaschk then decided on 28 April: "Heeresgruppe B, postpone!" In this instance the nomination was not processed due to AHA 44 Ziff. 572 (Allgemeines Heeresamt — General Army Office) but also because statements from his commanding officers could not be obtained anymore due to the capitulation. The nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross also contains a note from 10 April 1945: postponed. A bestowal thus didn't occur. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "156" was assigned by the AKCR. Fellgiebel assigned the presentation date.[136]
25. Heinrich von Lüttwitz's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Personnel Office) on 28 April 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk decided on 30 April: "Heeresgruppe B, postpone!" General Von Lüttwiz together with the remaining forces of the Heeresgruppe B was either taken prisoner of war or missing in action in the Ruhr Pocket on 15 April. The nomination was thus not further processed in accordance with AHA 44 Ziff. 572 (Allgemeines Heeresamt — General Army Office). The nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross also contains a note from 28 April 1945: "postponed". A bestowal thus didn't occur. The sequential number "157" and presentation date were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).[137]
26. Otto Hitzfeld's nomination was rejected by Major Joachim Domaschk on 30 April 1945 and commented: "This is not a nomination!" (Only leadership and organisational achievements, no personal bravery) he additionally noted: "missing in cauldron AOK 11". The nomination was thus assessed as insufficient as well as postponed according to AHA 44 Ziff. 572 (Allgemeines Heeresamt — General Army Office). The entry date noted on the nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is 28 April 1945. The list indicates a note "deferred". The approval cannot be proven. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) handled the case in 1981 and decided: Swords yes, 9 May 1945. The AKCR claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "158" and presentation date was assigned by the AKCR. Hitzfeld was a member of the AKCR.[138]
27. Josef Bremm's nomination by the troop was rejected by Major Joachim Domaschk on 30 April 1945 and instead recommended for the German Cross in Gold. Just like all other nominations, which at this point in time were related to members of the 11. Armee, the nomination was not further processed since the 11. Armee had capitulated on 21 April 1945 and presentations to prisoners of war or missing in action were prohibited. In all other instances of similar circumstances a note on the nomination can be found stating: "postpone AOK 11" or "postpone according to AHA 44 Ziff. 572 (Allgemeines Heeresamt — General Army Office)". The entry date noted on the nomination list for the higher grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is 28 April 1945. The list indicates a note "deferred". The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) claims that the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The sequential number "159" was assigned by the AKCR. The presentation date was assigned by Fellgiebel. Bremm was a member of the AKCR.[139]

Citations

1. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
2. Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
3. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
4. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
5. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
6. "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
7. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 33.
8. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 35.
9. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 24
10. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 36–38.
11. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 5
12. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 36.
13. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 6
14. Scherzer 2007, p. 548.
15. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 8
16. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 11
17. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 13
18. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, pp. 13-14
19. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 14
20. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 16
21. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 17
22. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 18
23. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 19
24. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 20
25. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 37.
26. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 21
27. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 22
28. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 23
29. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 27
30. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 28
31. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 29
32. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 30
33. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 31
34. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 32
35. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 41
36. Scherzer 2007, p. 272.
37. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 43
38. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 45
39. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 46
40. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 48
41. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 49
42. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 38.
43. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 50
44. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 51
45. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 52
46. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 54
47. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p, 56
48. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 57
49. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 58
50. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 59
51. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 49–51.
52. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 53–104.
53. Scherzer, 2007, pp. 110–116, 128.
54. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 39.
55. Scherzer 2007, p. 576.
56. Scherzer 2007, p. 199.
57. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 8
58. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 9
59. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 10
60. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 11
61. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 12
62. Scherzer 2007, p. 344.
63. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 40.
64. Scherzer 2007, p. 720.
65. Scherzer 2007, p. 206.
66. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 16
67. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 17
68. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 15
69. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 42
70. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 26
71. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 41.
72. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 44
73. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 20
74. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, pp. 20, 21
75. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 41, 475.
76. Scherzer 2007, p. 271.
77. Scherzer 2007, p. 643.
78. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 42.
79. Scherzer 2007, p. 385.
80. Scherzer 2007, p. 652.
81. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 21
82. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 22
83. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 25
84. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 55
85. Scherzer 2007, p. 531.
86. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 27
87. Scherzer 2007, p. 688.
88. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 43.
89. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 28
90. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 29
91. Scherzer 2007, p. 231.
92. Scherzer 2007, p. 486.
93. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 30
94. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 31
95. Scherzer 2007, p. 793.
96. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.
97. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 41
98. Scherzer 2007, p. 358.
99. O'Donnell 1978, 2001, pp. 182, 183, 215.
100. Scherzer 2007, p. 128.
101. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 42
102. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 44
103. Scherzer 2007, p. 675.
104. Scherzer 2007, p. 681.
105. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 45.
106. Scherzer 2007, p. 347.
107. Williamson & Bujeiro 2006, p. 53
108. Scherzer 2007, p. 306.
109. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 46.
110. Scherzer 2007, p. 800.
111. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 46, 475.
112. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 47.
113. Scherzer 2007, p. 479.
114. Scherzer 2007, p. 474.
115. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 46
116. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 47
117. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 49
118. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 48.
119. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 51
120. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 52
121. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 53
122. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 56
123. Scherzer 2007, p. 685.
124. Scherzer 2007, p. 161.
125. Fellgiebell 2000, pp. 49–50.
126. Scherzer 2007, p. 125.
127. Scherzer 2007, p. 267.
128. Scherzer 2007, p. 184.
129. Williamson & Bujeiro 2005, p. 60
130. Scherzer 2007, p. 185.
131. Scherzer 2007, p. 176.
132. Scherzer 2007, p. 121.
133. Scherzer 2007, p. 134.
134. Scherzer 2007, p. 159.
135. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 49.
136. Scherzer 2007, p. 179.
137. Scherzer 2007, p. 157.
138. Scherzer 2007, p. 141.
139. Scherzer 2007, p. 123.
140. Scherzer 2007, p. 801.
141. Scherzer 2007, pp. 110–116, 128.
142. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–118.
143. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 483.
144. Scherzer 2007, p. 117.
145. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 119–135, 485–486.
146. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 135–152, 487.
147. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 150.
148. Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–122.
149. Scherzer 2007, pp. 122–125.
150. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 152–156, 488.
151. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 156–167.
152. Scherzer 2007, pp. 126–127.
153. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 167–176.
154. Scherzer 2007, pp. 127–128.
155. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 176–189.
156. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 4.
157. Scherzer 2007, pp. 128–131.
158. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 154, 190–208, 488.
159. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 25–26.
160. Scherzer 2007, pp. 131–135.
161. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 208–228.
162. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 229–239.
163. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 492.
164. Scherzer 2007, pp. 136–141.
165. Scherzer 2007, pp. 141–145.
166. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 239–240.
167. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 241–247.
168. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 248–261.
169. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 261–281.
170. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 494.
171. Scherzer 2007, pp. 147–149.
172. Scherzer 2007, pp. 149–151.
173. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 282–299.
174. Scherzer 2007, pp. 151–157.
175. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 300–320, 498.
176. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 321–327.
177. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 499, 511.
178. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 327–331.
179. Scherzer 2007, pp. 161–162.
180. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 332–346, 499.
181. Scherzer 2007, p. 162–163
182. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 347.
183. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 347–368, 501.
184. Scherzer 2007, p. 630.
185. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 369–390.
186. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 390–418, 503.
187. Scherzer 2007, p. 168–172
188. Scherzer 2007, p. 173–178
189. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 418–427.
190. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 427–429.
191. Scherzer 2007, p. 180.
192. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 429–433.
193. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 433–455, 509.
194. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 455–460.
195. Scherzer 2007, p. 186.
196. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 511.

References

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
• O'Donnell, James Preston (1978). The Bunker: The History of the Reich Chancellery Group. Boston, United States: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0-395-25719-7.
• Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
• Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2005). Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941–45. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publisher. ISBN 1-84176-643-7.
• Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2006). Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941–45. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publisher. ISBN 1-84176-644-5.

External links

• "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes". Lexikon der Wehrmacht (in German). Retrieved 2 January 2011.
• "Das Bundesarchiv". Military Archive - Freiburg im Breisgau. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.