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. Helmut Borchardt was killed between 15–18 March 1945 after the breakout of fortress Schneidemühl and on 14 April 1945 he was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves. Iron Cross (1939) Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (3 February 1941) 1st Class (30 March 1943) Wound Badge (1939) in Black Infantry Assault Badge Eastern Front Medal Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 30 April 1943 as Unteroffizier and Gruppenführer 2./Grenadier-Regiment 409 828th Oak Leaves on 14 April 1945 as Oberfeldwebel and commander of Kompanie "Borchardt"/Regiment "Kohlmann".
