Johannes-Matthias Hönscheid

Who was Johannes-Matthias Hönscheid?

Johannes-Matthias Hönscheid was a war correspondent and Leutnant of the Reserves with the Fallschirmjäger 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. Johannes-Matthias Hönscheid was the only war correspondent in the Wehrmacht to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Hönscheidt is credited with the destruction of seven enemy tanks with antitank mines during the fighting retreat to the area of Frosinone and Monte Cassino. He was also responsible for capturing a total of 827 prisoner of war as shock troops leader. Hönscheid transferred to the Heer on 14 September 1944. He was nominated and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions in Italy in final days of the war. His last assignment at the end of the war was with the Regierung Dönitz as a correspondent and spokesman in Plön and Flensburg.