Wolfgang Röhder

Who is Wolfgang Röhder?

Wolfgang Röhder 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.

Wolfgang Röhder was born on the 17 August 1911 at Wuppertal. He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the Das Reich Division.

In February 1943 he was the commander of the 2nd Battery, 2nd SS Sturmgeschütz Battalion.

During September 1943 in the Raum sector the division was under attack by the Russian's, Röhder's Battery was able to withdraw to defend the last bridge over the River Worskla, so the rest of the Division could pull back over it before it had to be blown up.

For this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Hauptsturmführer in January 1944.

In June 1944, during the Normandy invasion he was given command of the Sturmgeschütz Battalion, he was wounded in July 1944 and was awarded the German Cross in Gold for bravery in August 1944 and promoted to Sturmbannführer.

He was wounded for a second time losing an eye, and being no longer fit for front line duty he was stationed in Prague, where he was reported missing on the 16 May 1945.