Erich Grätz

Erich Grätz
Born	14 August 1909 Neusalz, Germany
Died	Fate Unknown
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen-SS
Years of service	1933–45
Rank	Sturmbannführer
Unit	1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
Commands held	1st Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class German Cross in Gold

Erich Grätz (14 August 1909 — Fate Unknown ) was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He was born on the 14 August 1909 in Neusalz on the Oder, Niederschlesien. On joining the SS he was issued the service number 247 883 and was posted to the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and rose to command the 18. (Panzerjägerkompanie)/ 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment.

He was awarded the Knights Cross for the following action:
"...On 5 March 1944, all hell broke loose [in Manatschin, Ukraine]...At the height of the fighting, our old comrade SS-Hauptstürmführer Grätz (the Chef of the 18. [Panzerjäger]/Panzergrenadierregiment 1) showed up. At that time, he was serving as part of the officer reserve. He had pulled together the men of the Bäckerei Kompanie and retreating soldiers from other units to form a fighting force. Supported by only two broken-down Panzers stuck in Manatschin, Hauptstürmführer Grätz was able not only to repulse the attack, but to lead his "Kampfgruppe Grätz" in a counterattack. They prevented the Russians from making a further advance across the march route to the south. For his actions, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz."

Awards

• 1939 Iron Cross 2nd class
• 1940 Iron Cross 1st class
• German Cross in Gold on 20 September 1943 as SS-Hauptsturmführer in the 18.(Panzerjäger)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 May 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer and chief of the 18.(Panzerjäger)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"