Große Verleihungsurkunde zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes an den Hauptmann und SS - Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Dietrich
Issued to Captain Wilhelm Dietrich. (SS Hauptsturmführer).
Dated Führer Headquarters, October 15, 1942. With signature of Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler (Pantograph).
The Knight's Cross folder made of red Saffian leather with gold-embossed imperial eagle. The inside covers feature parchment mirrors and hand-gilded line borders.
The certificate is handwritten on a large parchment sheet (double sheet), with the name of the recipient embossed in gold.
Folder shows signs of wear on the outside, the leather retaining strip inside is torn. Certificate has minimal foxing.
Wilhelm Dietrich: Born November 17, 1912 (Ehringhausen/Hesse) Died March 12, 1944 (Dorpat Military Hospital, Estonia). SS No.: 38,886 // NSDAP No.: 693,321
Promotions:
April 1, 1935: Lieutenant in the state police
April 20, 1937: First lieutenant in the state police
September 12, 1937: SS-Obersturmführer
April 20, 1939: SS-Hauptsturmführer
October 1, 1939: Captain of the Schutzpolizei
November 9, 1942: SS-Sturmbannführer
April 1, 1943: SS-Sturmbannführer of the Waffen SS
June 9, 1943: Major of the Schutzpolizei
January 30, 1944: SS-Obersturmbannführer of the Waffen SS and Lieutenant Colonel of the Schutzpolizei
03/01/1944: SS-Standartenführer and Colonel of the Schutzpolizei (posthumously)
11/01/1931: Joined the NSDAP and the SS - 5th Sturm, IV. Sturmbann, 33rd SS-Standarte in Darmstadt
State police in Hesse and then in Darmstadt
1933-June 10, 1936: Lieutenant, Infantry Regiment 115
1936: Police - Administration in Berlin, then company commander with the Schutzpolizei in Treptow
September 12, 1937: Member of the SS as SS-Obersturmführer
1939-1941: SS-Ostuf, commander, 8th (MG) Company, SS Police Rifle Regiment 1, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
June 10, 1940: WIA
1941-1942: SS-Hstuf, Chief, 2nd Company, SS Police Infantry Regiment 1, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
January 15, 1942-February 15, 1942: Battalion Commander Training Course, Chalons sur Marne, France
March 16, 1942-June 00, 1942: SS-Hstuf, Chief, 1st Company, SS Police Grenadier Regiment 1, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
June 1942-July 15, 1942: SS-Hstuf, Commander, II Battalion, SS Police Grenadier Regiment 1, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
July 16, 1942-September 4, 1942: SS-Hstuf, Kdr, III Battalion, SS Police Grenadier Regiment 1, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
September 5, 1942-February 25, 1943: SS-Hstuf, Kdr, 1st Battalion, SS Police Grenadier Regiment 1, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
February 25, 1943: SS-Stubaf, SS Brigade “Schuldt,” WIA
March 16, 1943-May 28, 1943: SS-Stubaf, Commander, Police Infantry Replacement Battalion
June 15, 1943-October 22, 1943: SS-Stubaf, Kdr, III Battalion, SS Police Panzer Grenadier Regiment 3, Kampfgruppe “Reifflin,” 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
October 23, 1943-March 12, 1944: SS-Stubaf, Commander, SS Police Panzer Grenadier Regiment 3, 4th SS Police Panzer Grenadier Division
March 10, 1944: SS-Ostubaf, WIA at Petschur
March 12, 1944: Died of his wounds in the military hospital in Dorpat, Estonia
Dietrich's Knight's Cross nomination:
"After the difficult but successful defensive battles in the Neva bend between September 19 and 25, 1942, the II./SS-Pol.-Schützen-Regt. 1 under the command of Captain Dietrich (which had been at the center of the fighting and was severely weakened) was relieved by the III Battalion.
After a short pause, the enemy renewed its energetic attempts to break out on the evening of August 30, 1942. It was supported by tanks, bombers, ground attack aircraft, and fighter planes. Above all, however, it had ample artillery of all kinds and equally ample ammunition, which was used to an extent comparable to that of the First World War. With this support, new waves of enemy infantry attacks were launched continuously against the positions of III./1 in the following days. The enemy's original objective was to capture the road and railway bridges over the northern Tossna River and advance from there towards Mga and the relief forces outside the Leningrad encirclement.
Initially, several enemy tank attacks were repelled, inflicting heavy losses. Isolated enemy breakthroughs were crushed in fierce close combat. However, with the support of tanks, the enemy finally succeeded in breaking through the western position of the III Battalion in the early hours of September 4, 1942. At the same time, they pushed strong reserves through the breach deep into their own territory. Captain Dietrich immediately recognized the danger that the Russians would advance further and cause the entire battalion's front to collapse. An immediate counterattack by his own troops failed due to heavy defensive fire from enemy tanks. As always during these days of fighting, all communication links were interrupted.
Despite heavy artillery and Katyusha fire, Captain Dietrich personally rushed to the breakthrough point with a handful of men from his staff. On the way, he sent parts of III./I.R. 435 to immediately block the route to the Kirov railway line and ordered them to stop any advance of enemy troops to the south at all costs.
After Captain Dietrich had rounded up a large number of stragglers, he launched a flanking counterattack with these forces and part of the 10th Company. In fierce close combat, which was ultimately fought with hand grenades and spades, the Russians were repelled and the breach closed.
The repeated enemy attacks continued. Supported once again by tanks and heavy barrage fire, the Russians succeeded in breaking through the left flank of the III Battalion the very next day. All officers in the area of the breakthrough were killed, and their units were completely destroyed. There was now a 300-meter gap between the II and III Battalions. There were no reserves or occupied delaying positions in this area. The Russians finally recognized the opportunity presented to them and pressed forward. Enemy elements were soon behind the still intact right wing of the II Battalion along the Kirov Railway. The Russians advanced with strong reserves and broke the right wing of the regiment. Several counterattacks failed due to heavy enemy defensive fire.
Undeterred and aware of his duty, Captain Dietrich initiated his countermeasures during these decisive hours. He launched an advance along the Kirov Railway with the available elements of his battalion and was able to make progress despite fierce close combat and determined enemy actions. After crushing strong enemy elements, he succeeded in closing the gap in the front line, reestablishing contact with the II Battalion, and rebuilding the main line of defense.
The successful defense against enemy attacks during these days, and in particular during the decisive battles on September 4 and 5, 1942, was mainly due to the extraordinarily brave efforts of Captain Dietrich. Almost all machine guns and rifles were out of action due to heavy contamination from enemy barrage fire, and most mortars were also no longer operational. Hand grenades and spades were largely the only weapons available.
During its relentless attacks along this narrow front, the enemy lost around 10,000 men. In addition, 13 enemy tanks were destroyed or put out of action.
The enemy's significant and (for the time being) final attempt to capture the railway bridge over the Tossna and thus create a decisive basis for relieving Leningrad had failed. This was primarily due to the heroic deeds of Captain Dietrich and his infantrymen. Despite massive physical exertion, Captain Dietrich always managed to inspire his men by his personal example, thus ensuring that the enemy suffered heavy losses in manpower and material.
Due to his outstanding leadership qualities and his personal bravery in decisive moments, I consider Captain Dietrich to be fully deserving of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross."
Extremely rare award document for this brave Knight's Cross recipient of the Waffen-SS.
As with all Waffen-SS officers who also held a police rank, the certificate mentions the police rank (captain).