The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry.[1] A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945.["Note" 1] This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.[2]

These recipients are listed in the 1986 edition of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945. Fellgiebel was the former chairman and head of the order commission of the AKCR. In 1996, the second edition of this book was published with an addendum delisting 11 of these original recipients. Author Veit Scherzer has cast doubt on a further 193 of these listings. The majority of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany in the final days of World War II in Europe left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.[3]

Listed here are the 145 Knight's Cross recipients whose last name starts with "N".[4] Fellgiebel himself delisted two and Scherzer has challenged the validity of two more of these listings.[5] The recipients are ordered alphabetically by last name. The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded.

Background

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.[6] As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.[7] In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).[8] At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.[9]

Recipients

The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists for the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Waffen-SS. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.[10] Of the 145 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "N", nine were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, four the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and one the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds; eight presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received one-hundred-three of the medals, including the award given to Hitlerjunge Günther Nowak. A further three presentations were given to the Kriegsmarine, thirty-four to the Luftwaffe, and five to the Waffen-SS.[11] The sequential numbers greater than 143 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and are therefore denoted in parentheses.[12]

NameServiceRankRole and unit[Note 1]Date of awardNotesImage
Heinz NackeLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[13]Staffelkapitän of the 6./Zerstörergeschwader 76[13][14]2 November 1940[13]
—
—
Rudolf NackeLuftwaffe11-LStabsfeldwebel[13]Pilot in the III./Kampfgeschwader 76[13][14]23 July 1941[13]
—
—
Kurt NaderwitzHeer13-HOberleutnant[13]Chief of the 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 112[13][14]1 January 1944[13]
—
—
Werner NadolskiLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[15]Chief of the 3./Flak-Regiment 61 (motorized)[14][15]31 December 1943[15]
—
—
Wilhelm NädeleHeer15-HMajor[15]Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 460[14][15]4 November 1943[15]
—
—
Walter NäfeHeer10-HOberfeldwebel[15]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Grenadier-Regiment 232[14][15]4 October 1944[15]
—
—
Alfred NähringHeer15-HMajor[15]Leader of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 73[14][15]4 October 1944[15]
—
—
Helmut NagelHeer15-HOberfeldwebel[15]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment-Gruppe 163[14]["Note" 2]15 March 1944[15]
—
—
Willy NagelHeer17-HOberst[15]Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 131[14][15]12 June 1944[15]
—
—
Georg NagengastHeer15-HMajor[15]Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 119 (motorized)[14][15]28 November 1943[15]
—
—
Karl-Heinz NajockLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[15]Pilot and observer in the 1.(H)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 5[14][15]28 April 1945[15]
—
—
Bruno NamysloHeer10-HOberfeldwebel[15]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 6./Jäger-Regiment 49[14][15]4 May 1944[15]
—
—
Werner NasebandHeer14-HHauptmann[15]Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 451[14][15]28 January 1943[15]
—
—
Walter NassHeer16-HOberstleutnant[15]Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 937[14][15]30 September 1944[15]
—
—
Oldwig von NatzmerHeer17-HOberst im Generalstab[15]Ia (operations officer) in the Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"[14][15]4 September 1943[15]
—
—
Herbert NauKriegsmarine14-MKapitänleutnant[16]Chief of the 10. Räumbootflottille[14][16]11 July 1944[16]
—
—
Herbert NaueHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[16]Leader of the 2./Infanterie-Regiment 178[14][16]13 July 1940[16]
—
—
Hans-Jörg NaumannHeer14-HHauptmann[16]Commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 172 of the 72 Infanterie-Division[17]["Note" 3]12 November 1943*[16]Killed in action 13 October 1943[14]
—
Helmut NaumannLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[16]Staffelkapitän of the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3[14][16]22 June 1941["Note" 4]
—
—
Horst NaumannHeer06-HUnteroffizier[16]Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 184[14][16]4 January 1943[16]
—
—
Johannes NaumannLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[16]Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 6[14][16]9 November 1944[16]
—
—
Werner NebeHeer15-HMajor[16]Commander of the I./Schützen-Regiment 59[14][16]14 December 1941[16]
—
—
Peter NebelHeer13-HOberleutnant[16]Chief of the 3./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 177[16][18]27 March 1942[16]
—
—
Leonhard NechanskyHeer13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[16]Chief of the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 131[16][18]20 January 1943*[16]Killed in action 4 December 1942[18]
—
Hanns-Horst von NeckerLuftwaffe17-LOberst[16]Commander of Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 "Hermann Göring"[16][18]24 June 1944[16]
—
—
Walther Nehring+Heer18-HGeneralmajor[16]Commander of the 18. Panzer-Division[16][18]24 July 1941[16]Awarded 383rd Oak Leaves 8 February 1944
124th Swords 22 January 1945[16]
Franz NeibeckerHeer17-HOberst[16]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 227[16][19]16 February 1942[16]
—
—
Hans NeidhöferHeer14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[20]Leader of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 712[18][20]26 December 1944[20]
—
—
Ludwig NeiglHeer09-HFeldwebel[20]Deputy Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stabskompanie/schwere Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 519[18][20]27 July 1944[20]
—
—
Egon von Neindorff+Heer18-HGeneralmajor[20]Commander of the garrison at Tarnopol[18][20]4 April 1944[20]Awarded 457th Oak Leaves 17 April 1944[20]
—
Dr. Walter NeiseHeer17-HOberst of the Reserves[20]Commander of Armeewaffenschule of Panzer AOK 4[18][20]5 February 1945[20]
—
—
Karl NeitzelKriegsmarine15-MKorvettenkapitän[20]Commander of [18][20]27 March 1943[20]
—
—
Walter Neitzel+Heer14-HHauptmann[20]Leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 409[18][20]2 June 1943[20]Awarded 576th Oak Leaves 5 September 1944[20]
—
Herbert NelkeLuftwaffe06-LUnteroffizier[20]Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 1./Flak-Regiment 23 (motorized)[18]["Note" 5]4 July 1940[20]
—
Heinrich NellesHeer09-HFeldwebel[20]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 698[18][20]10 September 1944[20]
—
—
Ludwig NemecekLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[20]Observer in the 3.(F)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 122[18]["Note" 6]19 September 1942[20]
—
—
Willi NemitzLuftwaffe10-LOberfeldwebel[20]Pilot in the 4./Jagdgeschwader 52[18]["Note" 7]24 March 1943[20]
—
—
Gerhart NemnichHeer14-HHauptmann[20]Commander of Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 19[18][20]15 July 1943[20]
—
—
Günther NentwigHeer15-HMajor[21]Commander of the I./Artillerie-Regiment 295[18][21]21 January 1942[21]
—
—
Karl NestleHeer09-HFeldwebel[21]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Grenadier-Regiment 35 (motorized)[18][21]17 August 1943*[21]Killed in action 30 July 1943[18]
—
Helmut NeuberHeer11-HStabsfeldwebel[21]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 176[18][21]25 January 1945[21]
—
—
Frank NeubertLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[21]Staffelkapitän of the 2./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[18][21]22 June 1941["Note" 8]
—
—
Karl NeubertHeer15-HMajor[21]Commander of Ski-Jäger-Bataillon 1[18]["Note" 9]4 October 1944[21]
—
—
Rudolf Neubert+Heer14-HHauptmann[21]Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 32[21][22]29 February 1944[21]Awarded 817th Oak Leaves 5 April 1945[21]
—
Rudolf NeubrandtHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[21]Zugführer (platoon leader) in Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 37[21][22]29 September 1940[21]
—
—
Walther NeuerHeer15-HMajor[21]Leader of a Kampfgruppe in Ploiești (Romania)[23]["Note" 10]5 November 1944[21]
—
—
Hermann NeuerburgHeer13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[21]Leader of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 121[21][22]8 February 1944[21]
—
—
Ernst NeufeldHeer10-HOberfeldwebel[21]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Kradschützen-Bataillon 40[22]["Note" 11]3 January 1943[21]
—
—
Karl NeufellnerHeer17-HOberst[21]Commander of Artillerie-Regiment 86[21][22]6 April 1944[21]
—
—
Georg NeufferLuftwaffe18-LGeneralmajor[21]Commander of the 20. Flak-Division (motorized)[22]["Note" 12]1 August 1943[21]
—
Georg von NeufvilleHeer17-HOberst zur Verwendung (for disposition)[24]Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 195[22][24]22 September 1941[24]
—
—
[Dr.]Walter Neugebauer[Note 2]Heer13-HOberleutnant[24]Leader of the 12./Artillerie-Regiment 12[22][24]16 October 1944[24]
—
—
Josef NeuhierlHeer06-HUnteroffizier[24]Group leader of the 8./Grenadier-Regiment 3[22][24]17 March 1945[24]
—
—
Hermann NeuhoffLuftwaffe12-LLeutnant[24]Staffelführer in the III./Jagdgeschwader 53[22]["Note" 13]16 June 1942[Note 3]
—
—
Karl NeuhoffLuftwaffe10-LOberfeldwebel[24]Shock troops leader in the 6./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3[22][24]9 June 1944[24]
—
—
Ferdinand NeulingHeer19-HGeneralleutnant[24]Commander of the 239. Infanterie-Division[22][24]28 February 1942[24]
—
—
Eggert NeumannWaffen-SS15-WSS-Sturmbannführer of the Reserves[24]Commander of SS-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7 "Prinz Eugen"[22]["Note" 14]3 November 1944[24]
—
—
Ernst NeumannHeer14-HHauptmann["Note" 15]Leader of Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon XII./999[22][24]20 April 1945[24]
—
—
Friedrich-Wilhelm NeumannHeer19-HGeneralleutnant[24]Commander of the 712. Infanterie-Division[22][24]16 October 1944[24]
—
—
Dr. med. Heinrich Neumann[Note 4]Luftwaffe15-LOberstabsarzt[24]Troop doctor of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment[22]["Note" 16]21 August 1941[24]
—
Helmut NeumannLuftwaffe12-LLeutnant[24]Staffelführer of the 14./Jagdgeschwader 5[22][24]12 March 1945[24]
—
—
Joachim NeumannHeer15-HMajor[24]Commander of the I./Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 103[22][24]23 February 1944[24]
—
—
Johannes NeumannHeer14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[25]Chief of the 8./Grenadier-Regiment 852[22][25]17 September 1944[25]
—
—
Jürgen NeumannHeer13-HOberleutnant[25]Chief of the 1./Infanterie-Regiment 5 (motorized)[22]["Note" 17]1 November 1941[25]
—
—
Klaus NeumannLuftwaffe09-LFeldwebel[25]Pilot in the 16./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"[22]["Note" 18]9 December 1944[Note 5]
—
—
Otto-Karl NeumannHeer12-HLeutnant["Note" 19]Leader of the 6./Artillerie-Regiment 126[22][25]5 April 1945*[25]Killed in action 22 February 1945[22]
—
Rudolf NeumannLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[25]Staffelkapitän of the 2./Schlachtgeschwader 1[25][26]17 April 1945[25]
—
—
Werner NeumannHeer17-HOberst[25]Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 121[25][26]5 September 1944[25]
—
—
Walter Neumann-SilkowHeer17-HOberst[25]Commander of the 8. Schützen-Brigade[25][26]5 August 1940[25]
—
—
Hans NeumayerHeer13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[25]Chief of the 12.(MG)/Grenadier-Regiment 282[26]["Note" 20]20 January 1944[25]
—
—
Lorenz NeumayrHeer03-HGefreiter[25]Machine gunner in the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 755[25][26]14 January 1945[25]
—
—
Hans NeumeierHeer09-HFeldwebel[25]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 64[25][26]6 April 1944[25]
—
—
Karl NeumeisterHeer17-HOberst[25]Commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1[25][26]4 June 1944[25]
—
—
Werner NeumeyerHeer12-HLeutnant[25]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26[25][26]23 October 1944[25]
—
—
Ernst NeumüllerHeer13-HOberleutnant[27]Leader of the 14.(Panzerjäger)/Divisions-Kampfgruppe 216[26]["Note" 21]5 October 1944[27]
—
—
Fritz NeumüllerLuftwaffe12-LLeutnant[27]Pilot and adjutand in the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77[26][27]4 May 1944[27]
—
—
Lothar NeunhoefferHeer15-HMajor[27]Commander of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 292[26][27]3 January 1944[27]
—
—
Kurt NibbeHeer10-HOberfähnrich[27]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Pionier-Bataillon 20[26][27]17 March 1945[27]
—
—
Heinrich Nickel+Heer16-HOberstleutnant[27]Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 26[26][27]16 June 1940[27]Awarded 543rd Oak Leaves 8 August 1944[27]
—
Karl Nicolussi-LeckWaffen-SS13-WSS-Obersturmführer[27]Chief of the 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"[26]["Note" 22]9 April 1944[27]
—
—
Horst Niederländer+Heer14-HHauptmann[27]Leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 686[26][27]10 February 1943[27]Awarded 491st Oak Leaves 9 June 1944[27]
—
Heinrich NiedermeierHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[27]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon 94[26][27]11 December 1943*[27]Died of wounds 7 November 1943[26]
—
Hans NiedzwetzkiHeer09-HFeldwebel[27]Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 23[26][27]22 August 1943[27]
—
—
Roman NiedzwitzkiHeer06-HUnteroffizier of the Reserves["Note" 23]Vorgeschobener Beobachter (forward observer) in the 12./Artillerie-Regiment 290[26][27]28 April 1945[27]
—
—
Karl NiegschHeer15-HMajor of the Reserves[27]Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 223[26]["Note" 24]30 April 1945[27]
—
—
Hermann Niehoff+Heer19-HGeneralleutnant[28]Commander of the 371. Infanterie-Division[26][28]15 June 1944[28]Awarded 764th Oak Leaves 5 March 1945[28]
(147th) Swords 26 April 1945?["Note" 25]
—
[Dr.] Heinz Niehuus[Note 2]Luftwaffe14-LHauptmann[28]Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 77[26][28]17 April 1945[28]
—
—
Albert NielsenHeer10-HOberwachtmeister[28]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 58[26]["Note" 26]17 March 1945[28]
—
—
Horst Niemack+Heer14-HRittmeister[28]Commander of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5[26][28]13 July 1940[28]Awarded 30th Oak Leaves 10 August 1941
69th Swords 4 June 1944[28]
August NiemannHeer09-HFeldwebel[28]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Pionier-Bataillon 112[28][29]4 May 1944[28]
—
—
Eduard NiemannHeer17-HOberst of the Reserves[28]Commander of Artillerie-Regiment 212[28][29]29 February 1944[28]
—
—
Heinrich NiemannHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[28]Leader of the 3./Pionier-Bataillon 196[28][29]30 April 1943[28]
—
—
Willi NiemannHeer06-HUnteroffizier[28]Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 9./Artillerie-Regiment 31[28][29]26 December 1944[28]
—
—
Gerhard NiemeckHeer09-HFeldwebel[28]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 8./Panzer-Regiment 31[28][29]14 March 1943[28]
—
—
Ernst NiemeierHeer09-HFeldwebel[28]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the II./Grenadier-Regiment 431[28][29]18 February 1945[28]
—
—
Josef NiemietzHeer10-HHauptfeldwebel[28]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stab 3.(Fla)/Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 332[28][29]24 July 1943[28]
—
Peter NießenHeer12-HLeutnant[28]Aide-de-camp in Grenadier-Regiment 979[28][29]9 January 1945[28]
—
—
Georg NietertHeer06-HUnteroffizier[30]Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 14./Grenadier-Regiment 994[29][30]10 February 1945[30]
—
—
Heinrich NietscheHeer14-HHauptmann[30]Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 105[29][30]13 June 1941[30]
—
—
Wilhelm Niggemeyer+Heer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[30]Leader of the 2./Pionier-Bataillon 26[29][30]18 September 1942[30]Awarded 241st Oak Leaves 17 May 1943[30]
—
Hans NilshonHeer15-HMajor[30]Commander of the III./Artillerie-Regiment 26[29][30]28 March 1945[30]
—
—
Erhard NippaLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[30]Pilot in the 15./Schnellkampfgeschwader 10[29][30]26 March 1944[30]
—
—
Kurt NippesHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[30]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 276[29][30]29 January 1944*[30]Killed in action 10 December 1943[29]
—
Alfred NitschLuftwaffe10-LOberfeldwebel[30]Pilot in the 2.(F)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 123[29]["Note" 27]21 June 1943[30]
—
—
Hans-Joachim NitschHeer12-HLeutnant[30]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Panzer-Abteilung 118[29]["Note" 28]23 March 1945[30]
—
—
Hermann NitschHeer04-HObergefreiter[30]Vorgeschobener Beobachter (forward observer) and radio/wireless operator in the 6./Artillerie-Regiment 11[29][30]17 April 1945[30]
—
—
Martin NitschHeer13-HOberleutnant[30]Leader of the 6./Grenadier-Regiment 417[29][30]30 September 1944*[30]Killed in action 19 September 1944[29]
—
Robert NittlerHeer12-HLeutnant["Note" 29]Leader of the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 212[29][30]20 January 1943[30]
—
—
Karl NoackHeer13-HOberleutnant[31]Chief of the 1.(Reiter)/Divisions-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 168[29]["Note" 30]24 April 1943[31]
—
—
Karl-Heinz Noak+Heer12-HLeutnant[31]Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 2./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 46[29][31]5 August 1940[31]Awarded 63rd Oak Leaves 16 January 1942[31]
—
Ernst Nobis+Heer14-HHauptmann[31]Commander of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 204[29][31]21 January 1942[31]Awarded 151st Oak Leaves 5 December 1942[31]
—
Klaus NockenLuftwaffe15-LMajor[31]Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Kampfgeschwader 26[29][31]29 October 1943[31]
—
—
Kurt NöbelHeer04-HObergefreiter[31]Group leader in the 1.(Reiter)/Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7[29]["Note" 31]30 November 1943[31]
—
—
Friedrich-Karl NökelHeer14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[31]Leader of the II./Panzer-Regiment 31[31][32]17 September 1944[31]
—
—
Ferdinand NoeldechenHeer18-HGeneralmajor[31]Commander of the 96. Infanterie-Division[31][32]8 June 1943[31]
—
—
Cornelius NoëllLuftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[31]Pilot in the 4.(F)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe des OB der Luftwaffe[31][32]22 October 1941[31]
—
—
Herbert NölterLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[31]Staffelkapitän of the 2./Kampfgeschwader 3 "Lützow"[31][32]5 September 1944[31]
—
—
Klaus NöskeLuftwaffe14-LHauptmann[31]Staffelkapitän of the 1./Kampfgeschwader 4 "General Wever"[31][32]16 May 1941[31]
—
—
Karl Nohr?["Note" 32]Heer06-HUnteroffizierGroup leader in the Stabskompanie/Grenadier-Regiment 453[32]9 May 1945
—
—
Wilhelm NollerLuftwaffe09-LFahnenjunker-Feldwebel[31]Pilot in the 2./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"[32]["Note" 33]6 April 1944[31]
—
—
Harro NolteHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[33]Leader of the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 507[32][33]4 October 1944[33]
—
—
Kurt NolteHeer14-HHauptmann of the Reserves[33]Commander of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 213[32][33]6 September 1942[33]
—
—
Walter NolteHeer14-HHauptmann[33]Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment "Jütland"[32]["Note" 34]5 April 1945[33]
—
—
Karl-Gottfried Nordmann+Luftwaffe13-LOberleutnant[33]Staffelkapitän of the 12./Jagdgeschwader 51[32][33]1 August 1941[33]Awarded 35th Oak Leaves 16 September 1941[33]
Theodor Nordmann+Luftwaffe12-LLeutnant[33]Pilot in the 8./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1[32][33]17 September 1941[33]Awarded 214th Oak Leaves 17 March 1943
98th Swords 17 September 1944["Note" 35]
—
Otto NordtKriegsmarine14-MKapitänleutnant[33]Chief of the 14. Räumbootflottille[32][33]6 September 1944[33]
—
—
Helmut NormannHeer13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves[33]Leader of the 1./Jäger-Regiment 83[32][33]23 February 1944[33]
—
—
Jakob NorzLuftwaffe10-LOberfeldwebel[33]Pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 5[32]["Note" 36]26 March 1944[33]
—
—
Rainer NossekLuftwaffe09-LFahnenjunker-Feldwebel[33]Pilot in the 10.(Panzer)/Schlachtgeschwader 3[32][33]29 October 1944[33]
—
—
Gustav-Adolf von Nostitz-WallwitzHeer17-HOberst[33]Commander of Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 89[32][33]12 June 1944[33]
—
—
Jürgen von NottbeckHeer14-HHauptmann[33]Commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 94[32][33]21 January 1945[33]
—
—
Friedrich-Wilhelm von NotzHeer16-HOberstleutnant[34]Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 1233[32][34]23 March 1945[34]
—
—
Alfred NowakWaffen-SS09-WSS-Oberscharführer of the Reserves[34]Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 3./SS-Reiter-Regiment 1 "Florian Geyer"[32]["Note" 37]1 November 1943*[34]Killed in action 13 September 1943[32]
—
Günther Nowak!["Note" 38]Hitlerjugend00-HHitlerjungeHitlerjunge in Hindenburg (Upper Silesia)14 February 1945
—
—
Paul NowakHeer12-HLeutnant of the Reserves[34]Leader of the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 273[34][35]10 September 1944[34]
—
—
Heinz NowotnikWaffen-SS12-WSS-Untersturmführer of the Reserves[34]Leader of the 14.(MG)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"[35]["Note" 39]14 May 1944[34]
—
—
Karl NowotnikHeer09-HSanitätsfeldwebel[34]In the Stab/Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 212[34][35]15 March 1944[34]
—
—
Walter Nowotny+Luftwaffe12-LLeutnant[34]Pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 54[36]["Note" 40]4 September 1942[34]Awarded 293rd Oak Leaves 4 September 1943
37th Swords 22 September 1943
8th Diamonds 19 October 1943[34]
Gregor NowowieskiHeer14-HHauptmann[34]Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 695[34][35]28 December 1944[34]
—
—
Alfred NuckeltHeer15-HMajor[34]Commander in the Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 218[34][35]10 September 1944[34]
—
—
Erich NürnbergerHeer09-HFeldwebel[34]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 12./Infanterie-Regiment 410[34][35]4 December 1942[34]
—
—
Carlos NugentLuftwaffe10-LFahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel[34]Radio operator in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2[34][35]17 April 1945[34]
—
—
Harald NugiseksWaffen-SS06-WWaffen-Unterscharführer["Note" 41]Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Regiment 46 (estn. Nr. 2)[34][36]9 April 1944[34]
—
Heinrich Nuhn?["Note" 42]Heer14-HHauptmannCommander of Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon in the Führer-Grenadier-Division[35]9 April 1945
—
—
Hans Nuhr?["Note" 43]Luftwaffe10-LOberfeldwebelPilot in Schnellkampfgeschwader 210[35]22 March 1944
—
—

Notes

  1. ^ Großadmiral and President of Germany Karl Dönitz, Hitler's successor as Head of State (Staatsoberhaupt) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had ordered the cessation of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945 (Dönitz-decree). Consequently the last Knight's Cross awarded to Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Georg-Wolfgang Feller on 17 June 1945 must therefore be considered a de facto but not de jure hand-out.[37]
  2. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment-Gruppe 163 in Divisions-Gruppe 52.[15]
  3. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 172.[16]
  4. ^ According to Scherzer on 24 June 1941.[16]
  5. ^ According to Scherzer as Geschützführer (gun layer) in the 4./Flak-Regiment 23.[20]
  6. ^ According to Scherzer as observer in the Aufklärungsstaffel 3.(F)/122.[20]
  7. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the 5./Jagdgeschwader 52.[20]
  8. ^ According to Scherzer on 24 June 1941.[21]
  9. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of schweres Ski-Bataillon 1.[21]
  10. ^ According to Scherzer as leader of a Kampfgruppe from emergency units composed of all Wehrmacht branches in Ploiești/Romania.[21]
  11. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Kradschützen-Abteilung 4.[21]
  12. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of the 20. Flak-Division.[21]
  13. ^ According to Scher on 19 June 1942 as Staffelführer of the 7./Jagdgeschwader 53.[24]
  14. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of SS-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7.[24]
  15. ^ According to Scherzer as Hauptmann of the Reserves.[24]
  16. ^ According to Scherzer as regimental doctor of Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1 at the same time leader of the I./ Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1.[24]
  17. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the 1./Schüzen-Regiment 5.[25]
  18. ^ According to Scherzer on 25 November 1944 as pilot in the 16.(Sturm)/Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet".[25]
  19. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[25]
  20. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the 12./Grenadier-Regiment 282.[25]
  21. ^ According to Scherzer as leader of the 14./Divisions-Gruppe 216.[27]
  22. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 5.[27]
  23. ^ According to Scherzer as Unteroffizier.[27]
  24. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 223 (fortress La Rochelle).[27]
  25. ^ No evidence of the award can be found in the German Federal Archives. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) only assumes that the Swords were awarded. According to Hermann Niehoff's testimony he was nominated by Gauleiter Karl Hanke. The date and sequential number "147" were assigned by the AKCR. Niehoff was member of the AKCR.[5]
  26. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon (A.A.) 58.[28]
  27. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the Aufklärungsstaffel 2.(F)/123.[30]
  28. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Panzer-Abteilung 118.[30]
  29. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves.[30]
  30. ^ According to Scherzer as chief of the Reiter-Schwadron 168.[31]
  31. ^ According to Scherzer as group leader in the 1./Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7.[31]
  32. ^ Karl Nohr's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 3 April 1945. The HPA created a nomination request with the number 5018 and forwarded this request on 7 April. This was also noted on the file card. No further remarks or comments have been noted. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the presentation was made in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[5]
  33. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann".[31]
  34. ^ According to Scherzer as commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment "Jütland" (32. Infanterie-Division).[33]
  35. ^ According to Scherzer the 214th Oak Leaves were awarded on 16 March 1943.[33]
  36. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 5.[33]
  37. ^ According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 3./SS-Reiter-Regiment 1.[34]
  38. ^ Günther Nowak was a non existing person who became a de jure recipient of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.[38]
  39. ^ According to Scherzer as leader of the 14./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler".[34]
  40. ^ According to Scherzer as pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 54.[34]
  41. ^ According to Scherzer as Waffen-Untersturmführer.[34]
  42. ^ Heinrich Nuhn's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28 April 1945 as teleprinter message. The HPA did not create a nomination request nor is Nuhn listed in the book of "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses). No further remarks or comments have been noted. The registry of rejected or deferred nominations contains his file card. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the presentation was made in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.[5]
  43. ^ The addendum of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (in German), contains a note indicating that Hans Nuhr needs to be struck from the list.[39]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
  3. ^ Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
  4. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 321–327.
  5. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 161.
  6. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939" (PDF) (in German). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  7. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940" (PDF) (in German). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  8. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941" (PDF) (in German). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  9. ^ "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944" (PDF) (in German). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  10. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
  11. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 327–331.
  12. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 49–51.
  13. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 561.
  14. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 321.
  15. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 562.
  16. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 563.
  17. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 321, 498.
  18. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 322.
  19. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 322, 498.
  20. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 564.
  21. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 565.
  22. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 323.
  23. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 323, 499.
  24. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 566.
  25. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 567.
  26. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 324.
  27. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 568.
  28. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 569.
  29. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 325.
  30. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 570.
  31. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 571.
  32. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 326.
  33. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 572.
  34. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 573.
  35. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 327.
  36. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 327, 499.
  37. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 4.
  38. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 511.
  39. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 499.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon & Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6.
  1. ^ For an explanation of the various naming schemes used by the Luftwaffe, Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS refer to nomenclature used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
  2. ^ The brackets around the doctor title [Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded.
  3. ^ Neuhoff
  4. ^ In German a Doctor of Medicine is abbreviated as Dr. med. (Doctor medicinae).
  5. ^ Neumann