Background
Harald Freiherr von Elverfeldt was born in 1900 in Hildesheim, the son of Major Ferdinand Johann Georg von Elverfeldt, who was attached to the Imperial Embassy in Saint St. Petersburg.
Harald Freiherr von Elverfeldt was born in 1900 in Hildesheim, the son of Major Ferdinand Johann Georg von Elverfeldt, who was attached to the Imperial Embassy in Saint St. Petersburg.
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. On March 25, 1918, in the final year of the First World War, Elverfeldt secured his patent as a Fähnrich in the 1st Foot Guards Regiment, was rushed through an officer"s training course, and sent into combat. He was wounded in May 1918 and was awarded the Iron Cross World War II After the war he remained in the 100,000-man Reichswehr and was promoted to Leutnant on November 24, 1919.
Elverfeldt was promoted to Oberleutnant I n 1926, Hauptmann in 1933, and Major in 1937.
He was promoted to Oberstleutnant on November 1, 1939. Elverfeldt then participated in the Battle of France and Operation Barbarossa.
Throughout the rest 1942 and early 1943 he participated in several anti-partisan operations (Operation Eisvogel (Operation Common Kingfisher) and Operation Zigeunerbaron (Operation Gypsy Baron). In September 1943 he was promoted to the rank of Generalmajor and served in the Crimea.
In September 1944, after the 9th Panzer Division had fought in Normandy, Harald von Elverfeldt was given command of the division and commanded it until December 28, 1944, and then again from February 1945 until he was killed in action in March 1945.
Fähnrich - March 25, 1918 Leutnant - November 24, 1919 Oberleutnant - February 20, 1926 Hauptmann - September 1, 1933 Major - March 1, 1937 Oberstleutnant - November 1, 1939 Oberst - March 1, 1942 Generalmajor - September 1, 1943 Generalleutnant - March 23, 1945 Bibliography.