Erich Brandenberger

Erich Brandenberger (15 July 1892 – 21 June 1955) was a German general during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
In World War I he served as an officer in the 6th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment. When World War II began Brandenberger was Chief of the General Staff of the XXIII Army Corps (16 September 1939 - 15 February 1941) on the West Wall. He commanded 8th Panzer Division (20 February 1941 - 16 January 1943), LIX Army Corps (January — March 1943) and XXIX Army Corps (November 1943 - Jun 1944) on the Eastern Front.
In late 1944 and early 1945, he led the 7th Army on the Western Front during the German Ardennes Offensive. He surrendered to the American forces on 6 May 1945 as the commander of 19th Army.

• Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (21 October 1914) & 1st Class (7 September 1916)
• Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class (24 December 1939) & 1st Class (15 May 1940)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 15 July 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of the 8. Panzer-Division
  • 324th Oak Leaves on 12 November 1943 as General der Panzertruppe and commander of the XXIX. Armeekorps
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (18 February 1944)

• ^ Thomas 1997, p. 71.
• ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 238.