Kurt Feldt
Encyclopedia
Kurt Feldt was a highly decorated General der Kavallerie
in the Wehrmacht
during World War II
. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Kurt Feldt was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was held until 1947.
, he joined the service of the German Cavalry, being enlisted in 1. Kavalleriedivision at the beginning of World War I
. During that war and the interbellum, he would remain part of that unit, and other regiments, until commanding it in the next war. During the first years of the Second World War he and his division were involved in many campaigns and battles. The division's most notable, and independent action being that of the occupation of the northern provinces of The Netherlands in May 1940, leading to the Battle of The Afsluitdijk
. In June 1940 he was involved in the capture of Saumur
, the seat of the French Cavalry, where the famous Cadre Noir
was located. When 1. Kavalleriedivision was transformed into 24th Panzer Division in 1942, he became Befehlshaber South-West in April that year and later commanded Wehrkreis VI (Westfalen). In 1944 he fought in France and the Low Countries
against the Allies until being captured by the British.
General of the Cavalry (Germany)
General of the Cavalry or General der Kavallerie was a rank of general in the Imperial Army, Reichswehr or Wehrmacht - the second-highest regular rank below Generaloberst. Artillery officers of equivalent rank were called general of the artillery, and infantry officers of equivalent rank general...
in the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Kurt Feldt was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was held until 1947.
Biography
Feldt was born in SchmentauSmetowo Graniczne
Smętowo Graniczne is a village in Starogard County, Pomeranian Voivodeship, in northern Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Smętowo Graniczne...
, he joined the service of the German Cavalry, being enlisted in 1. Kavalleriedivision at the beginning of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. During that war and the interbellum, he would remain part of that unit, and other regiments, until commanding it in the next war. During the first years of the Second World War he and his division were involved in many campaigns and battles. The division's most notable, and independent action being that of the occupation of the northern provinces of The Netherlands in May 1940, leading to the Battle of The Afsluitdijk
Battle of the Afsluitdijk
The Battle of the Afsluitdijk was an unsuccessful attempt by the German Heer to seize the Afsluitdijk in May 1940, during World War II. If the Germans had taken the dyke, they could have taken North-Holland from its north...
. In June 1940 he was involved in the capture of Saumur
Saumur
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc...
, the seat of the French Cavalry, where the famous Cadre Noir
Cadre Noir
The Cadre Noir is an equestrian display team based in the city of Saumur in western France. The troop was founded in 1828, and gets its name from the black uniforms that are still used today...
was located. When 1. Kavalleriedivision was transformed into 24th Panzer Division in 1942, he became Befehlshaber South-West in April that year and later commanded Wehrkreis VI (Westfalen). In 1944 he fought in France and the Low Countries
Low Countries
The Low Countries are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany....
against the Allies until being captured by the British.
Awards
- Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1914)- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Cross of HonorCross of HonorThe Cross of Honor, also known as the Honor Cross or, popularly, the Hindenburg Cross, was a commemorative medal inaugurated on July 13, 1934 by Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg for those soldiers of Imperial Germany who fought in World War I...
- Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939)- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
- Knight's Cross on 23 August 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of 1. Kavallerie-Division