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. Heinrich Nickel was captured by Allied troops in May 1945 and was released in 1948. Iron Cross (1914) German Cross on 29 March 1943 as Oberst in Grenadier-Regiment 502 Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (29 July 1916) 1st Class (18 August 1918) Wound Badge (1914) in Black Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 in 1934 Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (19 September 1939) 1st Class (13 November 1939) Infantry Assault Badge in Silver Eastern Front Medal Demyansk Shield Wound Badge (1939) in Silver in Gold German Cross in Gold on 29 March 1943 as Oberst in Grenadier-Regiment 502 Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 16 June 1940 as Oberst and commander of III./Infanterie-Regiment 26 543rd Oak Leaves on 8 August 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of 342. Infanterie-Division Mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht (30 April 1944 and 11 July 1944).
