Harald von Hirschfeld

Harald von Hirschfeld (10 July 1912 – 18 January 1945) was a German general who commanded the 78.Volksgrenadier-Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. In September 1943, as a Colonel in the 1st Mountain Division, he played a major role in the defeat and subsequent massacre of the Italian Acqui Division in Cephallonia.

Awards and decorations

 * Anschluss Medal (8 November 1938)
 * Sudetenland Medal
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (1 November 1939)
 * 1st Class (28 July 1941)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * Black (23 July 1941)
 * Silver (23 September 1941)
 * Gold  (2 October 1941)
 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (25 July 1941)
 * Order of the Crown (Romania) (1 November 1941)
 * Eastern Front Medal (1 August 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 15 November 1941 as Oberleutnant and chief 7. / Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 98
 * 164th Oak Leaves on 23 December 1942 as Hauptmann and leader 11. / Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 98