Heer DKiG group Infantry

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Helmut K?hler

Helmut K?hler served for 3^rd battalion of 11^th regiment of 14^th Wehrmacht infantry. Helmut K?hler started his fighting line within Wehrmacht campaign on invasion to Belgium and Holland.

K?hler was included in motorized mobile group of the 3^rd battalion which was located on the front line of the regiments advance through the roads of Holland. The 11^th regiment infantry took part in Poland invasion after its Holland campaign. At June 1941 the 3^rd battalion within the 11^th regiment is being transferred to Eastern Preusse and starts preparing to the invasion of the territory of USSR. On July 20^th the regiment crossed the river of Neman and by July 20^th reached Vilnius. Helmut K?hler in the effectives of his regiment is transferred to the area of Minsk, where the large group of Red Army was encircled. On September 1^st 1941, Helmut K?hler was given the rank of non-commissioned officer and rewarded with the 2^nd class Iron Cross.

Starting from September 20^th the regiment stayed at leisure in the area of Demidof town to replenish its man and material resource. Here K?hler was rewarded with Infantry Assault Badge.

Starting from October 3^rd the regiment advanced in the direction of Moscow, although the bad weather which hit Wehrmacht troops made further moves not possible till the middle of November. On November 28^th, 1941 infantry regiment reached maximum point 60 km north Moscow, Dmitrov area ? environs of Moscow-Volga channel. On the December 6^th 1941 the Red Army took counter-offensive and 11^th regiment, along with all other Wehrmacht troops, went on urgent retreat. The burden of large numbers of freezed and wounded soldiers made retreat complicated. At the end of January the regiment is transferred to the area north of Gzhatsk where it is filled with man and material resources, and later at the beginning of March, transferred to Rzhev area to settle for most of 1942. On June 5^th K?hler was rewarded with the Wounded Badge in Silver.

From June 4^th up to June 17^th 1942 the regiment of non-commissioned officer K?hler takes part in minor campaign in Belchy area ("Seidlitz"). From June till August 1942 the regiment took part in military actions north Volga and east Rzhev. The battalion for which K?hler was signed fought north Rzhev and lost almost all of its men. Helmut K?hler became one of those who survived. On October 15^th 1942, 11^th infantry regiment is renamed to 11^th motorized infantry regiment and submitted to the 14^th infantry division. On October 20^th 1941 for heroism and fortitude K?hler was awarded with the Iron Cross of the First Class.

On November-December 1942 the regiment held sanguinary fights. As on December 20^th 1942 the active strength of the regiment made up 20 officers and 494 non-commissioned officers. The remaining 210 soldiers were crossed off the battle-front and transferred to the area of Sychovka where the new battalion is being formed. At the end of March 1943, K?hler, within 11 motorized infantry regiment, heads to Smolensk, where the regiment turns to defense activities. On May 1943, as the result of offensive by Red Army, the regiment is transferred to Roslavl, further west to Demidov. On the 1^st of July Helmut K?hler was conferred with the regular military title of sergeant major. The regiment takes part in further military campaigns in the area of Vitebsk, where constant fights lasts for 9 months. At the end of October the regiment holds defensive battles in the region of Gomel. On November 2^nd Helmut K?hler was awarded with Close Combat Bar in Silver (Schpange).

On November 1943, sergeant major Helmut K?hler dies at battle in the area of Zherebnaya village, 16 km south-east of Gomel city. After his death, on December 1, 1943, K?hler was awarded with title of senior sergeant major and becomes holder of a German Cross in Gold posthumously.

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http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Infanterieregimenter/IR11.htm

Edited April 27, 2009 by DDD777

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http://www.ww2awards.com/person/10129

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...and more of 120 personal pictures ...

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Edited April 27, 2009 by DDD777

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SB4

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:rolleyes:

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Letter 1

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:(

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DK let

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Sturm + EK 2

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EK 1 + small DK

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If somebody have some additional information about DK holder Major Helmut Kohler, let me now pls !

Thank you in advance ! :beer:

530_Inf_Reg.doc

Edited April 27, 2009 by DDD777