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Hermann-Heinrich BehrendGerman officer, participant in the First and Second World Wars, major general.
Date of Birth: 25.08.1898
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Early Life and Military Career
During the First World War, the German officer participated in combat as a volunteer in the infantry regiment from June 1915. By March 1916, he had become a non-commissioned officer, and in April 1917, he was promoted to lieutenant. He held command of a machine gun company towards the end of the war, earning both Iron Crosses. Despite sustaining an injury, he continued to serve in the Reichswehr.
World War II
As a major and infantry battalion commander at the outbreak of World War II, he fought in the French Campaign (1940), receiving bars for his Iron Crosses. Joining the German-Soviet War on June 22, 1941, in the northern sector of the Eastern Front, he was awarded the Knight's Cross in July 1941 and promoted to lieutenant colonel. However, during the fighting near Leningrad in September 1941, he was severely wounded.
After recovering in a hospital, he was assigned to a reserve battalion. From January to July 1942, he was part of the Heeresstreifendienst patrol service in Ukraine. From August to December 1942, he commanded the patrol service in Norway, and from January to May 1943, he served as the patrol service commander in Germany. In March 1943, he was promoted to colonel.
Eastern Front and Awards
Returning to the Eastern Front in June 1943, he led a grenadier regiment of the 58th Infantry Division near Leningrad and later in the Narva area. After being wounded in January 1944, he was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross in March 1944.
In July 1944, he commanded a grenadier regiment of the 299th Infantry Division near Grodno. He was in the Führerreserve from January to March 1945.
Later Career and Capture
From April 1945, he assumed command of the 490th Infantry Division on the Western Front. Promoted to major general, he was honored with the Swords (No. 148) to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. Following Germany's surrender, he was taken prisoner by the British. He was released from British captivity in May 1947.
