Franz Griesbach

Franz Friedrich Johann Griesbach (21 December 1892 – 24 September 1984) was a German officer, veteran of WWI, teacher from 1919 to 1939 and general during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany.

Promotions

• 1 April 1914 One-year volunteer (Einjährig-Freiwilliger)
• 6 September 1914 Gefreiter (Private E-2 / Lance Corporal)
• 29 December 1914 Unteroffizier (NCO / Corporal / Junior Sergeant)
• 10 May 1916 Vizefeldwebel (Vice Sergeant)
• 23 August 1916 Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of the Reserves)

Wehrmacht

• 1 April 1936 Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of the Reserves) with Rank Seniority (RDA) from 30 December 1919 (2)
• 21 February 1938 Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of the Reserves) with effect from 1 March 1938 and Rank Seniority (RDA) from 1 May 1937 (341)
• 1 June 1939 Hauptmann (E); Ergänzungsoffizier (Captain; Supplementary Officer) with effect from 1 March 1939 and Rank Seniority (RDA) from 1 May 1934 (188b)
• 20 October 1940 Major (E); Ergänzungsoffizier (Major; Supplementary Officer) with effect from 1 August 1940 (86a)
• 30 December 1941 transferred to the active officers as Major (Tr.O.) with effect from 1 December 1941 and RDA from 1 August 1940 (121)
• 20 April 1942 Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) with effect and RDA from 1 April 1942 (211a)
• 10 March 1943 Oberst (Colonel) with effect from 1 January 1943 and RDA from 1 December 1942 (67b)
• 1 August 1944 Generalmajor (Major General)

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class
• 2nd Class on 22 December 1914
• 1st Class on 23 August 1917
• Wound Badge (1918) in Black and Silver
• Black on 5 May 1918
• Silver (Mattweiß) on 25 June 1918
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords on 12 December 1934
• Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th Class
• War Merit Cross (1939), 2nd Class with Swords on 1 September 1941
• Repetition Clasp 1939 to the Iron Cross 1914, 2nd and 1st Class
• 2nd Class on 22 October 1941
• 1st Class on 20 November 1941
• Infantry Assault Badge in Silver on 19 December 1941
• Wound Badge (1939) in Gold on 4 February 1942
• Order of the Crown of Romania, Officer's Cross with Swords on 6 March 1942
• Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal on 16 August 1942
• Crimea Shield
• Romanian Commemorative Medal for the Crusade Against Communism
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
• Knight's Cross on 14 March 1942 as Major and commander of the I. Battalion/Infanterie-Regiment 391
• 242nd Oak Leaves on 17 May 1943 as Oberst and commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 399
• 53rd Swords on 6 March 1944 as Oberst and commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 399

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links

• Franz Griesbach @ Universität Magdeburg