Friedrich Herzig

Who was Friedrich Herzig?

Friedrich Herzig was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Herzig started the war in the 3rd Company, SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 5, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking he was transferred to the Tiger tank company of the SS Panzer Regiment 2, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich in February 1943. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold in January 1945, while serving on the staff of SS Panzer Brigade Gross. The brigade was formed from elements of the SS Panzer Troop Training and Replacement Regiment at Dundaga, Latvia, along with SS Panzer Troop Training Regiment "Seelager".

Herzig then took over command of the 503 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion on the Eastern Front during the withdrawal into Berlin. He was one of the last persons to be awarded the Knight's Cross on 29 April 1945, when that afternoon one was awarded to Eugéne Vaulôt who had personally destroyed eight tanks and Herzig received the other. Two others received less prestigious awards for only knocking out five tanks each.