Enemy Elite Friday: Georg-Wilhelm Postel (Germany)

Georg-Wilhelm Postel

 

"On the 04.02.1942 Oberst Postel was assigned command of all German units located around the Soviet penetration zone South of Wosszino.  The next day Postel and his troops launched an attack that managed to close the gap created in the front line by this penetration.  Oberst Postel would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this and other actions around Rzhev in early 1942."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 9 August 1942.

 

"Generalmajor Postel acted to pass on his unbreakable determination to the men of his Division ever since it became caught up in the extremely trying combat between the Don and Donez rivers in mid-January.  Over the course of weeks of bitter fighting (and often without friendly contact to either the left or right) his men bloodily repulsed the assaults of overwhelming enemy forces and fought hard for every kilometer of ground.  Eventually the unit pulled back from its forward strong points as per orders and proceeded to fight a 9-day breakthrough battle to occupy new friendly positions.  In the process the men of the Division eliminated several strong Bolshevik battlegroups.  During all this fighting Generalmajor Postel served as his soldiers’ commander and lead combatant.  He always placed himself where the fighting was fiercest and thereby inspired his men to give their best.  Consequently he became badly wounded while conducting reconnaissance in the foremost line.  A particularly noteworthy incident in this time took place on the 10.02.1943, when Postel and his Division destroyed a reinforced Soviet rifle regiment.  The Division finally reached German lines on the 13.02.1943."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 28 March 1943.

 

"Awarded for the outstanding leadership of his Division during the summer of 1943 near Belgorod, in the fall of 1943 around Kharkov, and in the winter of 1943/44 near Krementschug."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 26 March 1944.

 

Another enemy elite,

Brian