Bernd von Doering
Bernd von Doering | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wilhelm Konrad Rodrigo Bernd von Doering 16 January 1903 Cmachowo, Kreis Samter, Regierungsbezirk Posen, Province of Posen, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 7 July 1944 (aged 41) South of Florence, Italian Social Republic |
| Allegiance | Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Reichswehr Heer |
| Service years | 1920–45 |
| Rank | Generalmajor |
| Unit | Panzergrenadier-Regiment 79 |
| Commands | II./Schützen-Regiment 79 Panzergrenadier-Regiment 79 |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Relations | ∞ 1929 Eleonore Wrede; 4 children |
Wilhelm Konrad Rodrigo Bernd von Doering (16 January 1903 – 7 July 1944) was a German officer and highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Knight's Cross
The following wartime excerpt describes why Major von Doering would be awarded the Knight’s Cross:
- “Major von Doering and his battalion eliminated strong elements of a fleeing enemy battalion during the forest battles south of Sedan at Mont Damion and Mont du Cygne from the 17 May 1940 onwards. The subsequent pursuit battles led to the Maas river at Sepvigny. The bridge site at Bourcy was taken despite the presence of a strong garrison, and this victory meant that von Doering's battalion became the first formation of the 16th Infantry Division to reach the southern bank of the Maas. Successful village combat took place in the continued combat south of the Maas, during which 350 French prisoners of war were taken.”
Death
Colonel von Doering, First Adjutant to the Commander-in-Chief Southwest (Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring) since 22 November 1943, was killed in action by shrapnel on the Arno line, 2 km south of Florence and north of Poggibonsi. The main line of resistance near Siena and Poggibonsi was held by the 4th Parachute Division. However, the main battle front was forced to retreat towards Florence during July 1944. Von Doering's body was transported to Arco, and then on to Gardone Riviera (Lake Garda), where he was given a formal burial. On 2 August 1944, he was posthumously promoted to Major General, effective 1 July 1944.[1]
Awards and decorations
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th to 2nd Class (18-year Service Cross)
- West Wall Medal
- Iron Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
- 2nd Class on 25 May 1940
- 1st Class on 4 June 1940
- Infantry Assault Badge in Silver on 4 November 1940
- Wound Badge (1939) in Black on 4 August 1941
- Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal on 16 September 1942
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 November 1940 as Major and Commander of the II. Battalion/Schützen-Regiment 79/16. Panzer-Division[2]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- 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.