Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke
| Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born |
24 January 1889 Schleswig, German Empire |
| Died | 4 July 1968 (aged 79) Kappeln, West Germany |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch | |
| Years of service | 1905–45 |
| Rank | General der Fallschirmtruppe |
| Unit | 1st Parachute Division |
| Commands held |
Ramcke Parachute Brigade German 2nd Parachute Division Fortress Brest |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds |
World War I
Russian Civil War
World War II
Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (24 January 1889 – 4 July 1968) was a German general of paratroop forces during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, one of only 27 people in the Nazi German military so decorated. Ramcke was convicted of war crimes in a French court after the war, but was released after 3 months.
Born in 1889, Ramcke joined the Imperial German Navy in 1905 and served during the First World War. Ramcke fought in the West with the Marine-Infanterie, mainly in the area of Flanders. In 1916 he was decorated with the Iron Cross second class and later the Iron Cross first class. After a defensive action against three British attacks he was decorated with the Prussian Golden Merit Cross, the highest decoration for non-commissioned officers in the German Imperial Forces.
In 1919 Ramcke fought against the Bolshevik forces in the Baltic region as a member of the "Russian Army of the West", composed mostly of German veterans. Ramcke stayed in the Reichswehr during the Weimar Republic period. He continued to serve in the new Wehrmacht, attaining the rank of Oberstleutnant in 1937.
On 19 July 1940, Ramcke was transferred to the 7th Fliegerdivision under the command of General Kurt Student and was promoted to Oberst. At the age of 51 he successfully completed the parachute qualification course. In May 1941 working with the division Stab he helped plan and also took part in Operation Merkur, the airborne attack on Crete. Ramcke led the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1, and also led Kampfgruppe West. After the costly victory in Crete, remainders of several paratroop units were formed into an ad hoc brigade, and command was given to Ramcke. He was promoted to Generalmajor on 22 July 1941.
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