Wilhelm-August Vielwerth

Erich Wilhelm August Vielwerth (10 February 1912 – 12 August 1997) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who was awarded 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. Erich Vielwerth was captured by American troops in May 1945, and was released in August 1945.

Early years
Erich Vielwerth was born on 10 February 1912 in Büdingen, he was police officer from 1931 to 1936 and in 1936 he joined the 87 Motorized Infantry Regiment of the Wehrmacht.

Service in France
In 1940 he participated in the invasion of France. During the invasion he learned the skill of how to destroy bunkers, this would later serve him well in Operation Barbarossa and during the Siege of Leningrad.

Russia and Knight's Cross Award
He participated in Operation Barbarossa serving in the area of Leningrad. On 10 October 1941, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions in destroying over 50 enemy bunkers, personally destroying several by himself. On 5 August 1942 he was shot in the back and was in hospital until December 1942. He did not return to action in Russia until November 1943, he remained with his regiment until the destruction of Army Group Centre in 1944 during Operation Bagration.

Retreat from Russia
With the destruction of Army Group Centre in 1944, he began an 54 day, 800 kilometre trek from Russia through the Pripet Marshes to Lithuania and finally to East Prussia. Throughout the retreat he and a group of other soldiers passed through many Soviet occupied villages and had many encounters with the Red army. At the end of the retreat Vielwerth had gone from 164 to 118 lbs.

Later service
In November 1944 the 87 Motorized Infantry Regiment was posted to the Westwall fortifications, during this time Vielwerth became a company commander. In March 1945 he was given command of a battalion and was awarded the German Cross in Gold. On May 6, 1945 he was captured and was held until August 12, 1945.

Dates of Rank

 * Feldwebel - N/A
 * Oberfeldwebel - October 1, 1940
 * Leutnant - 1 May 1943
 * Oberleutnant - 1 March 1944

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class (1 August 1941)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * in Silver (1 September 1942)
 * Infantry Assault Badge (1 August 1940)
 * Eastern Front Medal (15 September 1942)
 * Close Combat Clasp
 * in Bronze (1 May 1944)
 * in Silver (25 May 1944)
 * German Cross in Gold (8 March 1945)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 10 October 1941 as Oberfeldwebel and platoon leader in the 1. / Infanterie-Regiment 87 (motorisiert)