|
|
| IRNFRIED FREIHERR VON WECHMAR Ultimate rank: Oberst. Last service position: Commander of the Esbjerg-Fano Defense District in Denmark. German Cross in Gold on January 16, 1942. Knight's Cross: April 13, 1941 while commanding the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3 or 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion with the rank of Oberstleutnant. |  |
Irnfried Freiherr von Wechmar was a member of an old military family (one of his ancestors had been decorated with the Pour le Merite in the Seven Years War), Wechmar was educated at Germany's foremost cadet institute at Berlin-Lichterfelde. When World War One broke out in 1914, Wechmar joined the Guard-FusiIiers Artillery Regiment as an officer candidate whilst at only fifteen and one half years old and then served throughout the war as an artilleryman. Leutnant Wechmar advanced to the position of battery commander and won both Iron Crosses.
After the war Wechmar served as a volunteer in 'the Landjager Corps' and then in the 100,000-man Reichswehr, where he rose to the rank of Hauptmann before leaving the service in 1922. In 1933 Wechmar was reactivated at the rank of Hauptmann. Promoted to Major, he took over command of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3 in Berlin-Stahnsdorf. During the fighting in Poland and France Wechmar was decorated with the bars to both Iron Crosses. The Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3, known as the "hussars of the forefield," was one of the first German army units to arrive in Africa in February 1941. Erwin Rommel gave von Wechmar his first objective. En Nofilia was reached. The drive to Agedabia ended with the capture of the city.
El Agheila was seized, Solluch occupied and Benghazi taken in a surprise night raid. For these feats von Wechmar was awarded the Knight's Cross, which he received from Rommel personally.
The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion was constantly in contact with the enemy, in the attack and defense, particularly during the retreat of the winter of 1941. The battalion covered the withdrawal into the Agedabia position.
Wechmar was forced to give up the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion at the end of January 1943. His next position was Head of Army Propaganda Troops. In 1943-1944 he led the 147th Panzer-Grenadier Regiment on the Eastern Front as an Oberst. Wechmar surrendered in Denmark and was imprisoned in England.
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3
More soon and a Web Page on the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3
Bibliography
Knights Cross Holders of the AFRIKAKORPS by Franz Kurowski, Schiffer
François de Lannoy also has a list of the NA Knights Cross winners in his book AFRIKAKORPS from Heimdal
AANA Members Comments and Additions
| AANA Member Notes |
| Much more to add to this page! |
Link-IT, LLC Copyright© 2008, 