The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Herbert Bartels was captured by American troops April 1945, he was released in August. In 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr, retiring in 1972.
Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (29 May 1940) 1st Class (15 October 1940) Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge (19 August 1940) Eastern Front Medal (27 August 1942) Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (5 November 1943) Wound Badge (1939) in Silver (28 July 1944) Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 November 1943 as Oberleutnant and leader of the 3./Flak-Regiment 293 (motorized) German Cross in Gold on 20 March 1945 as Hauptmann in the 3./schwere Flak-Abteilung 293.
