Claus Breger

Claus Breger (25 December 1910 – 17 December 1944) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht 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. Claus Breger was wounded on 16 December 1944 and died the next day in Aachen, Germany. He was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 14 January 1945 and was also promoted Major.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (31 October 1939)
 * 1st Class (27 May 1940)
 * Infantry Assault Badge (1 July 1940)
 * Demyansk Shield
 * Eastern Front Medal (29 July 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold (16 February 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 4 September 1942 as Stabsfeldwebel and platoon leader in 1. / Infanterie-Regiment 27
 * 700th Oak Leaves on 14 January 1945 as Hauptmann and commander of I./Füsilier-Regiment 27