| Heinz Adolff | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 June 1914 |
| Died | 17 July 1943 (aged 29) |
| Place of birth | Backnang |
| Place of death | Sicily, Italy |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service |
1935–1937 1939–1943 |
| Rank | Major der Reserves (Posthumously) |
| Commands held | Fallschirm-Pionier-Battalion 1 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Heinz Paul Adolff (29 June 1914 – 17 July 1943) was a highly decorated Major der Reserves in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Heinz Paul Adolff was mortally wounded trying to destroy the Primasole Bridge over the River Simeto on 17 July 1943 during the Allied invasion of Sicily. Adolff attempted to drive a truck loaded with two aerial bombs onto the bridge. After two failed attempts he was severely wounded on the third attempt and succumbed to wounds shortly afterwards. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Major der Reserves.
Awards and decorations[]
- Fallschirmschützenabzeichen
- Iron Cross (1939)
- Eastern Front Medal
- German Cross in Gold on 19 March 1942 as Oberleutnant of the Reserves in the 1./Fallschirm-Pionier-Battalion[2]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 March 1944 as Hauptmann of the Reserves and commander of Fallschirm-Pionier-Battalion 1 [3]
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) (in German). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtsteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches]. Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Kurowski, Franz (1995). Knights of the Wehrmacht Knight's Cross Holders of the Fallschirmjäger. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 978-0-88740-749-9.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001) (in German). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2]. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007) (in German). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives]. Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Thomas, Franz; Wegmann, Günter (1986) (in German). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Teil II: Fallschirmjäger [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the German Wehrmacht 1939–1945 Part II: Paratroopers]. Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-1461-8.
