Gustav-Adolf Zangen

November 7, 1892 (age 71)

Darmstadt, Darmstadt Government Region, Germany

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. He had earlier in World World War II commanded 17th Infantry Division in Russia, a Corps in France in 1943 and an Army detachment in Italy before being appointed to command the 15th Army on the Western Front. Having occupied the Pas de Calais during the 1944 campaign in France, Zangen was forced to evacuate his army, together with remnants of other divisions, across the Scheldt to the island of Walcheren and South Beveland. There, they were attacked during the Battle of the Scheldt 2 October-8 November 1944. He deployed his force against the Allied advance into the Netherlands. On 24 October 1944 his headquarters in Dordrecht were bombed by the Royal Air Force. During the Ardennes offensive starting 16 December 1944, his 15th Army was tasked with fixing the British and United States. forces north of the Bulge. see also Operation Blackcock, Operation Grenade. Zangen was taken prisoner of war in April 1945 in the Ruhr Pocket. 1938 - 1941: Commanding Officer 88th Regiment 1941 - 1943: General Officer Commanding 17th Division 1943: General Officer Commanding LXXXIV Corps 1943: General Officer Commanding LXXXVII Corps 1943: General Officer Commanding Army Detachment von Zangen, Italy 1943 - 1944:General Officer Commanding Lower Alps Zone, Italy 1944: General Officer Commanding 15th Army, the Netherlands He died in 1964 in Hanau. Bibliography.

Gustav-Adolf Zangen

Edit Profile

officer

Background

Zangen was born in Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hesse.

Career

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. He had earlier in World World War II commanded 17th Infantry Division in Russia, a Corps in France in 1943 and an Army detachment in Italy before being appointed to command the 15th Army on the Western Front. Having occupied the Pas de Calais during the 1944 campaign in France, Zangen was forced to evacuate his army, together with remnants of other divisions, across the Scheldt to the island of Walcheren and South Beveland.

There, they were attacked during the Battle of the Scheldt 2 October-8 November 1944.

He deployed his force against the Allied advance into the Netherlands. On 24 October 1944 his headquarters in Dordrecht were bombed by the Royal Air Force. During the Ardennes offensive starting 16 December 1944, his 15th Army was tasked with fixing the British and United States. forces north of the Bulge. see also Operation Blackcock, Operation Grenade.

Zangen was taken prisoner of war in April 1945 in the Ruhr Pocket. 1938 - 1941: Commanding Officer 88th Regiment 1941 - 1943: General Officer Commanding 17th Division 1943: General Officer Commanding LXXXIV Corps 1943: General Officer Commanding LXXXVII Corps 1943: General Officer Commanding Army Detachment von Zangen, Italy 1943 - 1944:General Officer Commanding Lower Alps Zone, Italy 1944: General Officer Commanding 15th Army, the Netherlands He died in 1964 in Hanau.

Bibliography.

Achievements

Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (13 September 1914) 1st Class (19 March 1915) Wound Badge (1914) in Black Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th to 1st Class West Wall Medal Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (9 November 1939) 1st Class (15 May 1940) Eastern Front Medal Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 15 January 1942 as Oberst and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 88 and leader of the 17. Infanterie-Division 647th Oak Leaves on 5 November 1944 as General der Infanterie and acting commander of the 15.

Main Photo