Diddo Diddens

Diddo Diddens (22 April 1917 – 27 September 1997) was a highly decorated Hauptmann of the Reserves in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (19 August 1941)
  • 1st Class (2 October 1941)
• Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black (18 June 1942)
  • in Silver (23 June 1944)
  • in Gold (17 December 1944)
• General Assault Badge
• Eastern Front Medal
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 18 March 1942 as Leutnant of the Reserves and Zugführer (platoon leader) in 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 185
  • 501st Oak Leaves on 15 June 1944 as Oberleutnant of the Reserves and Chief of the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade "Großdeutschland"
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (27 April 1944)

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date	Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording	Direct English translation
27 April 1944	Nördlich von Jassy traten die Sowjets mit starken Kräften zum Angriff an. Sie scheiterten am zähen Widerstand der deutschen und rumänischen Truppen. Örtliche Einbrüche wurden abgeriegelt. In diesem Kampfraum hat sich am 25. April ein Sturmgeschützverband der Panzergrenadierdivision "Großdeutschland" unter Führung von Oberleutnant Diddens besonders ausgezeichnet.	North of Jassy, the Soviets attacked with strong forces. They failed because of the tenacious resistance of the German and Romanian troops. Local penetrations were sealed off. In this battle area has an assault gun unit of the Panzergrenadier Division "Großdeutschland" under the leadership of Lieutenant Diddens particularly distinguished itself on 25 April.

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Lexikon der Wehrmacht