Waldemar Gazen German officer, participant in World War II, Wehrmacht major, holder of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Date of Birth: 06.12.1917 Country: Germany

The Biography of Waldemar Gatsen

Waldemar Gatsen was a German officer and participant in World War II. He held the rank of Major in the Wehrmacht and was honored with the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Gatsen began his military service in 1936 as a Fahnenjunker (officer candidate) in an infantry regiment and was promoted to Lieutenant in October 1938.

He took part in the Polish campaign as a platoon commander and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross. From September 1940, Gatsen served as a Senior Lieutenant and led a company. On June 22, 1941, he was deployed to the Eastern Front as the commander of a company in the 13th Tank Division's infantry regiment. He participated in battles in Uman, Kyiv, and Rostov. In November 1941, he received the Gold German Cross.

In September 1942, Gatsen was awarded the Knight's Cross for his actions on the North Caucasus, and he received the rank of Captain. In January 1943, he was honored with the Oak Leaves (No. 182) to the Knight's Cross for leading a combat group in the 13th Tank Division during the battles in the Caucasus. In August 1943, at the age of 25, Gatsen was promoted to Major, becoming the youngest regimental commander in the Wehrmacht.

In October 1943, he received the Swords (No. 38) to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves as the commander of the grenadier regiment in the 13th Tank Division for his actions in the Kuban region. In September 1944, Gatsen was appointed Chief of Staff of the 13th Tank Division, and from February 1945, he served as the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Tank Division on the Western Front.

After the war, Gatsen was taken prisoner by American forces and was released in 1946.