Alfred-Hermann Reinhardt

Alfred Hermann Reinhardt (often wrongly Alfred-Hermann; 15 November 1897 – 15 January 1973) was a highly decorated German Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany.

Early life and World War I

Alfred-Hermann Reinhardt was born on 11 November 1897 in the village of Affalterbach near Backnang, Württemberg, as the son of a teacher Ferdinand Reinhard and his wife Amalie. Following his schooling and passing his Abitur, he decided to enlist the German Army during the ongoing First World War. In early January 1916, Reinhardt was assigned as Kriegsfreiwilliger (roughly equivalent to the rank of Private) to the replacement battalion of 123rd Grenadier Regiment “König Karl” in Ulm and following his basic training, he was ordered to France, where his regiment participated in the combats on the river of Yser.

He then participated in the capture of Kharkov in October that year and promoted to Oberst (Colonel) one month later. After a period of combats at Mius river in the Donetsk Region, Reinhardt and his regiment were sent to reinforce German and Romanian units during the combats near Novorossisk, the large port city on the coast of Black Sea in summer 1942 and proceeded to Caucasus by the end of September that year. For his service during that early stages of Caucasus operation, Reinhardt was decorated with the German Cross in Gold.

Italian Front

Upon his arrival at Zagreb, Reinhardt was tasked with the reform of his division for which he used its surviving elements and the staff of the recently destroyed 387th Infantry Division. He then received another training grenadier regiment and departed with his division to Rimini, Italy in August 1944. Shortly after his arrival, Reinhardt was promoted to Generalleutnant by Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring based on the recommendations from his previous superior generals. Generalleutnant Alfred-Hermann Reinhardt died on 15 January 1973, aged 75 at his home. Since 1924, he was married to Frida, née Hartlieb, widowed Siebeck, with no children.

Awards and decorations

Military Merit Medal (Württemberg) for Bravery in Silver (WMVM2/WsM) on 14 March 1917 Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class on 31 August 1917 1st Class on 31 July 1919 Wound Badge (1918) in Mattweiß (Silver) on 4 February 1919 Silesian Eagle, 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class on 4 August 1919 1st Class on 16 September 1919 Hungarian War Commemorative Medal with Swords and Helmet on 20 April 1933 Tyrolean State Memorial Medal (Tiroler Landesdenkmünze 1914–1918) on 11 May 1933 Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords on 12 December 1934 Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th to 2nd Class on 2 October 1936 Medal to Commemorate the 13 March 1938 Repetition Clasp 1939 to the Iron Cross 1914, 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class 25 June 1940 1st Class on 27 July 1940 Wound Badge (1939) in Silver on 4 August 1941 Infantry Assault Badge in Silver on 31 October 1941 Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd Class on 7 August 1943 Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal on 3 September 1942 Kuban Shield German Cross in Gold on 4 September 1942 as Oberst and Commander of the Infanterie-Regiment 421 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 4 December 1941 as Oberstleutnant and Commander of the Infanterie-Regiment 421 306th Oak Leaves on 28 September 1943 as Oberst and Commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 421 118th Swords on 24 December 1944 as Generalleutnant and Commander of the 98. Infanterie-Division