Franz Griesbach

Franz Friedrich Johann Griesbach (21 December 1892 – 24 September 1984) was a German officer, veteran of WWI, teacher from 1919 to 1939 and general 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.

Promotions 1 April 1914 One-year volunteer (Einjährig-Freiwilliger) 6 September 1914 Gefreiter (Private E-2 / Lance Corporal) 29 December 1914 Unteroffizier (NCO / Corporal / Junior Sergeant) 10 May 1916 Vizefeldwebel (Vice Sergeant) 23 August 1916 Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of the Reserves)

Wehrmacht 1 April 1936 Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of the Reserves) with Rank Seniority (RDA) from 30 December 1919 (2) 21 February 1938 Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of the Reserves) with effect from 1 March 1938 and Rank Seniority (RDA) from 1 May 1937 (341) 1 June 1939 Hauptmann (E); Ergänzungsoffizier (Captain; Supplementary Officer) with effect from 1 March 1939 and Rank Seniority (RDA) from 1 May 1934 (188b) 20 October 1940 Major (E); Ergänzungsoffizier (Major; Supplementary Officer) with effect from 1 August 1940 (86a) 30 December 1941 transferred to the active officers as Major (Tr.O.) with effect from 1 December 1941 and RDA from 1 August 1940 (121) 20 April 1942 Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) with effect and RDA from 1 April 1942 (211a) 10 March 1943 Oberst (Colonel) with effect from 1 January 1943 and RDA from 1 December 1942 (67b) 1 August 1944 Generalmajor (Major General)

Awards and decorations Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class on 22 December 1914 1st Class on 23 August 1917 Wound Badge (1918) in Black and Silver Black on 5 May 1918 Silver (Mattweiß) on 25 June 1918 Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords on 12 December 1934 Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th Class War Merit Cross (1939), 2nd Class with Swords on 1 September 1941 Repetition Clasp 1939 to the Iron Cross 1914, 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class on 22 October 1941 1st Class on 20 November 1941 Infantry Assault Badge in Silver on 19 December 1941 Wound Badge (1939) in Gold on 4 February 1942 Order of the Crown of Romania, Officer's Cross with Swords on 6 March 1942 Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal on 16 August 1942 Crimea Shield Romanian Commemorative Medal for the Crusade Against Communism Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 14 March 1942 as Major and commander of the I. Battalion/Infanterie-Regiment 391 242nd Oak Leaves on 17 May 1943 as Oberst and commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 399 53rd Swords on 6 March 1944 as Oberst and commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 399