Bernhard Klosterkemper (17 April 1897 – 19 July 1962) was a German general (

Generalmajor is the Germanic languages, Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central Europe, Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and R ...

) in the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the German Army (1935–1945), ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmac ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and a recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. While it was order of precedence, lower in preceden ...

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany, officially known as the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German Reich, German state between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, transforming it into a Totalit ...

. Klosterkemper surrendered to Allied troops in May 1945 and was released in 1947.

Awards and decorations

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (1871–1918), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the in ...

(1914) ** 2nd Class on 4 February 1918 ** 1st Class on 1 October 1918 *

Wound Badge The Wound Badge () was a German military decoration first promulgated by Wilhelm II, German Emperor on 3 March 1918, which was first awarded to soldiers of the Imperial German Army, German Army who were wounded during World War I. Between the worl ...

(1918) in Black on 11 May 1918 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 on 6 November 1934 * Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar *

(1939) ** 2nd Class on 15 April 1940 ** 1st Class on 9 June 1940 * West Wall Medal on 22 November 1940 *

on 4 July 1944 as ''

Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German language, German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the Army, ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, a ...

'' and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 920

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Klosterkemper, Bernhard 1897 births 1962 deaths German Army personnel of World War I German prisoners of war in World War II Major generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht) People from Coesfeld Military personnel from the Province of Westphalia Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 1st class Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Military personnel from North Rhine-Westphalia German Army generals of World War II