Joachim Renz

Joachim Renz (5 October 1919 – 23 October 1944) was a German tank commander and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
Hauptmann Renz received the Knight's Cross following the battles in East Prussia in October 1944. At the time of the fighting he was commander of the Panther battalion of the Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment "Hermann Göring". Following the penetration of German lines by Soviet forces, the Panzers of the Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring launched a counterattack on the 19 October, thrusting deeply into enemy lines. In heavy defensive fighting, Renz's battalion was credited with the destruction of 93 tanks, 45 anti-tank guns and a regiment of Russian infantry. Renz was eventually killed during the course of this battle on 23 October, however his leadership skills during the fighting did not go unnoticed and he was later awarded the Knight's Cross posthumously.

Awards & decorations

 * Iron Cross
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1943 as Oberleutnant 3./Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 December 1944 as Führer I./Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment Hermann Göring (posthumously)