Leuthardt, Helmut

boy silhouette
Helmut Leuthardt
b: 1918
d: 1944
Biography
BIOGRAPHY: Rank: Oberleutnant d.R. Unit: 5./Panzer-Regiment 6 Receivedon: 17 August 1944

BIOGRAPHY: The German Cross (Deutsches Kreuz) is the highest German Orderawarded by Hitler during World War 2. There are three classes: Gold withBrilliants, Gold and Silver. The Golden Cross was awarded for ''bravey inthe face of the enemy''; the Sliver for ''leadership of men, not in theface of the enemy''. The badge is a large eight-pointed star with a blackswastika in its centre surmounted by rays. There is no ribbon


The German Cross (Deutschen Kreuz) is build up out of 5 separate partsand although the name suggests otherwise, it has the shape of a large8-pointed breast star with in the center a large black swastika which isoutlined in silver. The name of this award comes from this 21,5 mm bigswastika. This swastika is placed upon a red-bordered silver disk andupon this red border is a golden laurel leaf wreath mounted. The goldenwreath measures 39 mm across and is made out of single laurel leaves thatare bounded together with a silk lint. At the bottom of the wreath is asquare box with the year 1941 impressed into it. This date refers to theyear of institution and from underneath this wreath emerge the eight starpoints. These points are chemically blackened and have the appearance ofsunrays. Underneath these points is a 63 mm large silver backing plateplaced which has the same shape as the award, only it’s slightly biggerso it forms the outer line of the award. At the reverse are 4 or 6 rivetsvisible and through the number of rivets you can recognize if the awardwas made in Germany or Austria. The German Crosses with 4 rivets weremade in Germany and the pieces with 6 rivets in Austria. Further is thereat the reverse a large width pin with a standard hook constructionplaced. If the award is marked with the LDO-number of the producer, thenit is stamped in either the front or backside of the pin. To preventdamaging the award during combat, there was also a cloth version made.This cloth version has a metal wreath and the backing cloth colour is thesame as the tunic colour of the corresponding Army branch. Fieldgrey isfor the Army (Heer) and Waffen-SS, bleu-grey for the Air Force,(Luftwaffe) Marine bleu for the Navy (Kriegsmarine) and black for theArmored forces.

The German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) was awarded forbravery and outstanding achievements in combat but where the Knight’sCross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eizernen Kreuzes) wasn’t awardedfor. The recipient did however already had to own the Iron Cross 1stClass. (Eisernes Kreuz 1 Klasse) The exact number of times that theGerman Cross in Gold was bestowed is still unknow at this time.

The OKW barred/stopped by decree the awarding of the Gernan Cross in Goldfor "multiple remarkable services in troop leadership" from March 10th,1945 on.
Facts
  • 1918 - Birth -
  • 1944 - Death - ; Russia
  • Military Service - as a German soldier during World War II
  • 17 AUG 1944 - Award - KRIEGSORDEN DES DEUTSCHEN KREUZES IN GOLD (The German Cross in Gold)
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Helmut Leuthardt
1918 - 1944
  
 
  
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CHILDREN
MHelmut Leuthardt
Birth1918
Death1944Russia
Evidence
[S17]Ribbons and Medals