Horst Niemack

Horst Niemack (10 March 1909 – 7 April 1992) was a German general in the infantry, serving during World War II and in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Military career
Host Niemack joined the military service on Easter 1927 after he had graduated from the Realgymnasium (secondary school) in Hanover with his Abitur (diploma). He joined the 18th Rider-Regiment (Reiter-Regiment 18) of the Reichswehr in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt and was promoted to the rank of Leutnant in 1931.

Horst Niemack was severely wounded on 24 August 1944 when his leading Panzerspähwagen (Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle) was hit. He was rescued at the very last moment from the burning wreck and was immediately flown from the field hospital to Berlin. At the Charité Professor Ferdinand Sauerbruch managed to avoid amputation of his left arm.

Post-war years
After the war, Horst Niemack devoted himself to his hobby, horseback riding and horse breeding. At the Olympic Games in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968, he accompanied the German dressage team as an authorized representative. From 1956 Niemack also served as chairman of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).

Awards

 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
 * Wound Badge in Gold (7 April 1944)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (17 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (12 June 1940)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
 * Knight's Cross on 13 July 1941 as Rittmeister and commander of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5
 * 30th Oak Leaves on 10 August 1941 as Rittmeister and commander of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5
 * 69th Swords on 4 June 1944 as Oberst and commander of Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 6 July 1941
 * Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (12 June 1969)