26th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)

Formed in Belgium, originally intended for the defense of the English Channel.

Since June 1943 - in Italy. Since August 1943 - battles against US-British forces in the Salerno area, then in the Cassino area.

In 1944 - fighting in the area of ​​Anzio, Nettuno, Rimini, Ravenna, Bologna.

In early May 1945 - the remainder of the division was taken prisoner by the British.

In 1943:

• 26th tank regiment
• 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• 67th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• 93rd Tank Artillery Regiment
• 26th Tank Reconnaissance Battalion
• 93rd anti-tank battalion
• 304th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division
• 93rd Tank Engineer Battalion
• 93rd battalion of communications

• From September 14, 1942 - Colonel (from October 1942 - Major General) Smilo Freicherr von Lutwitz
• From January 22, 1944 - Major General Hans Hecker
• From April 11, 1944 - Colonel Hans Bölsen
• From July 6, 1944 - Colonel (from October 1944 - Major General) Eduard Crazemann
• From January 29, 1945 - Major General Alfred Kunert

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (13)

• Theo Oferhagen, 01/01/1944 - sergeant major, platoon commander of the 9th company of the 9th panzergrenadier regiment
• Paul Ecker, 03.16.1944 - Major, commander of the 1st battalion of the 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Eberhard Schlepple, 07/27/1944 - lieutenant reserve, commander of the 26th tank reconnaissance battalion
• Fritz Boehm, 08.23.1944 - Chief Sergeant Major, platoon commander of the 6th company of the 26th tank regiment
• Bernhard Imminger, 10/04/1944 - Chief Sergeant Major, platoon commander of the 3rd company of the 67th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Franz Roggenland, 10/04/1944 - Chief Sergeant Major, platoon commander of the 10th company of the 67th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Heinz Špete 10/20/1944 - lieutenant of the reserve, commander of the 8th company of the 26th tank regiment
• Erwin Kors, 12/9/1944 - Major, commander of the 2nd battalion of the 67th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Albert Carrenberg, 12/11/1944 - lieutenant commander of the 2nd company of the 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Franz Lear, 12/11/1944 - non-commissioned officer, commander of the 3rd company detachment of the 93rd tank sapper battalion
• Werner Muller, 12/26/1944 - Lieutenant Commander of the 7th Company of the 67th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Diethelm von Demming, 04/30/1945 - Major, commander of the 2nd battalion of the 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment (award not confirmed)
• Oscar Freicherr von Hohenhausen und Hochhaus, 05/11/1945 - Oberstleutenant, commander of the 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment (award not confirmed)

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (3)

• Smile Freicherr von Lutwitz (No. 426), 03/16/1944 - Lieutenant General, commander of the 26th Panzer Division
• Paul Erlich (No. 634), 10.28.1944 - Major, commander of the 1st battalion of the 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment
• Eduard Crazemann (No. 683), 12/18/1944 - Major General, commander of the 26th Panzer Division

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

• Smile Freicherr von Lutwitz (No. 76), 07/04/1944 - Lieutenant General, commander of the 26th Panzer Division

• Stoves, Rolf. Die gepanzerten und motorisierten deutschen Großverbände 1935-1945: Divisionen und selbstständige Brigaden. Dörfler, 2003. ISBN 978-3-89555-102-4