Walther von Hünersdorff

Walther von Hünersdorff (28 November 1898 – 17 July 1943) was a German Generalleutnant serving 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.

Career
During the First World War von Hünersdorff entered the German army in 1915 and fought on the Western front. He was promoted to lieutenant in October 1916. After the German capitulation, he remained in the Reichswehr. Von Hünersdorff was promoted to first lieutenant in 1925, captain in 1933, major in 1936 and lieutenant-colonel in 1938. At the start of the Second World War von Hünersdorff served on the staff of the 253rd Infantry Division but on October 25, 1939 he was transferred to the staff of the II Army Corps. On September 12, 1940 he was made chief of staff of the XV Army Corps. With XV Army Corps part of Panzergruppe 3, von Hünersdorff served during Operation Barbarossa. Hünersdorff was promoted to colonel on July 1, 1941. A year later he took command of Panzer-Regiment 11, the panzer regiment of the 6th Panzer Division. With 6th Panzer he served with distinction during 4th Panzer Army's attempts to relieve the encircled Sixth Army at Stalingrad. In February 1943 von Hünersdorff was promoted to overall command of the 6th Panzer Division. In May 1943 he was promoted to major general.

Following the climax of the Battle of Kursk Hünersdorff and a number of his staff were attacked by a group of Heinkel He 111s which had mistakenly targeted them while attempting to support the division. The wounded staff members were taken off to a field hospital. Though wounded, Hünersdorff remained. A little later that same day he was struck in the head by a sniper's round. His steel helmut partially protected him, but a fragment of it was pushed back into his skull, penetrating into his brain. The surgeon Oberstabsarzt of the Reserves Tönnis of the Luftwaffe attempted to save his life, but he succumbed to his injuries on 17 July 1943. He was buried at the Military Cemetery at Charkow. The eulogy was attended by his wife, who was serving in Kharkov as a nurse. A large number of the upper officer corps also attended, including 4th Panzer Army commander Hermann Hoth and Army Group South commander Erich von Manstein. Hünersdorff was posthumously promoted to lieutenant general.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Cross of Honor
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (14 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (27 May 1940)
 * Panzer Badge
 * Eastern Front Medal
 * German Cross in Gold (26 January 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 22 December 1942 as Oberst and commander of the Panzer-Regiment 11
 * 259th Oak Leaves on 14 July 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of the 6. Panzer-Division