Heinz Finke

Heinz Finke
Born	(1920-02-08)8 February 1920 Jauer
Died	Munich
Allegiance	Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1938–45 1956–72
Rank	Major (Wehrmacht) Oberst (Bundeswehr)
Commands held	I./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 51
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Białystok–Minsk Siege of Leningrad Battle of Smolensk (1943) Operation Bagration East Prussian Offensive Heiligenbeil Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Heinz Finke (8 February 1920 – 7 December 1996) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II and an Oberst in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was also awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold one of only 631 awards. Heinz Finke was captured by Soviet troops in March 1945 and was held until 1955. He later joined the Bundeswehr in 1956 and served until retirement in 1972.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (9 October 1939)
  • 1st Class (12 October 1941)
• Wound Badge
  • in Black
  • in Silver
• Eastern Front Medal
• Infantry Assault Badge
• Close Combat Clasp
  • in Bronze
  • in Silver (1 October 1943)
  • in Gold (February 1945)
• Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (25 January 1944)
• German Cross in Gold (5 September 1943)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 May 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of I. / Grenadier-Regiment 51 (motorisiert)

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Lexikon der Wehrmacht