Gerd Ruge (soldier)

This article is about the Wehrmacht and Bundeswehr officer. For the German journalist, see Gerd Ruge.

Gerd Ruge
Born	17 August 1913 Breege
Died	Wetzlar
Allegiance	Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1936–45 1956–71
Rank	Oberst
Commands held	Panzergrenadier-Regiment 128
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Białystok–Minsk Battle of Smolensk (1941) Second Battle of Kharkov Battle of the Caucasus Lower Dnieper Offensive Dnieper-Carpathian Offensive First Jassy-Kishinev Offensive Lvov–Sandomierz Offensive Battle of Debrecen Operation Frühlingserwachen Vienna Offensive
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Gerd Ruge (17 August 1913 – 18 January 1997) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. 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. Gerd Ruge was captured by British troops in April 1945 and was released later that year. In 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and retired in 1971 as an Oberst.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (19 July 1941)
  • 1st Class (8 August 1941)
• Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black
• Infantry Assault Badge
• Eastern Front Medal
• Close Combat Clasp
  • in Bronze
  • in Silver
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 7 September 1943 as Oberleutnant and commander of I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 128
  • 648th Oak Leaves on 16 November 1944 as Major and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 128
• Mention in the Wehrmachtbericht (22 October 1944)

External links

• Lexikon der Wehrmacht