Enemy Elite Friday: Ernst-Günther Baade (Germany)

 

Ernst-Günther Baade

He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on November 2nd, 1941 as Oberstleutnant of Reiter Regiment 22, of the 1st Calvary Division.

 

"On the 27.05.1942 Oberst Baade was able to prevent a strong enemy armored attack in the rear of the division through a combination of superior leadership, initiative and personal bravery in the foremost line.  By doing so he laid the groundwork for the division’s success on this day.  Later, on the 11.06.1942, he personally led a reinforced battalion of the Schützen Regiment 115 against Hachheim’s fortified defense system.  His unit was the first to enter these hostile positions, and under his leadership it was able to break the garrison’s tough resistance following 24 hours of uninterrupted combat. Oberst Baade’s superior leadership and personal bravery thus brought about victory at Hachheim." from  his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on June 27th, 1942 as Oberst in Schützen-Regiment 115 of the 15th Panzer Division.

 

"Generalmajor Baade has once again particularly distinguished himself during the heavy combat in Southern Italy as the commander of a Panzergrenadier Division.  It is largely to his credit that all enemy efforts to take control of the hotly contested Cassino massif have so far failed. In order to instantly adjust his decisions to the situation at the frontline, Generalmajor Baade repeatedly occupied forward command posts between the infantry and foremost battery with only his ordonnanzoffizier and a few messengers. From here, and despite the heavy enemy fire, he repeatedly intervened in the combat wherever it was most necessary and thereby reinforced the will to resist of his soldiers"  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on February 22nd, 1944 as Oberst of the 90th Panzergrenadier Division.

 

"Awarded for distinguishing himself with his division during the combat along the Italian front in 1944."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on November 16th, 1944 as Generalmajor of the the 90th Panzergrenadier Division.

Another capable enemy elite,

Brian