Wilhelm von Malachowski

Wilhelm von Malachowski
Born	(1914-06-06)6 June 1914 Rostock
Died	Cologne
Allegiance	Nazi Germany (to 1945)
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1935–45
Rank	Major
Unit	369th (Croatian) Infantry Division
Commands held	Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 228
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Moscow Battles of Rzhev Battle of Stalingrad Third Battle of Kharkov Battle of Kursk Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive Cherkassy Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Wilhelm Hans Joachim von Malachowski (6 June 1914 – 28 October 1980) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients 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.

Von Malachowski was severely wounded on 9 March 1943. On 1 April 1943, he was transferred to the Führerreserve of the Oberkommando des Heeres. Following his convalescence he received General staff training and was posted to the 369th (Croatian) Infantry Division on 15 November 1943.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (9 July 1940)
  • 1st Class (26 May 1941)
• General Assault Badge (23 September 1941)
• Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black (17 September 1941)
  • in Silver (23 January 1942)
  • in Gold (25 May 1943)
• Eastern Front Medal (22 July 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 30 January 1942 as Oberleutnant and commander of the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 189
  • 206th Oak Leaves on 6 March 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 228

External links

• Lexikon der Wehrmacht