Theodor Kretschmer

Theodor Kretschmer (26 November 1901 – 5 December 1986) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Theodor Kretschmer
Born	(1901-11-26)26 November 1901 Burghaun, German Empire
Died	5 December 1986(1986-12-05) (aged 85) Schlitz, West Germany
Allegiance	Weimar Republic Nazi Germany
Branch	Army
Years of service	1919–1945
Rank	Generalmajor
Commands	16th Panzer Division 17th Panzer Division
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Military career

Kretschmer joined the German Army in 1919 and was commissioned in 1924. After a number of staff positions he briefly became commander of the 16th Panzer-Division in late 1944 before taking over as the commander of the 17th Panzer Division on 1 February 1945. Kretschmer was promoted to Major General on 1 April 1945. He surrendered his division on 11 May 1945 east of Prague. Convicted in the Soviet Union as a war criminal, he was held until 1955.^[1]

Awards and decorations

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 March 1945 as Oberst and commander of 17. Panzer-Division^[2]