Press Photo – Major Rudolf “Udo” Schwarzrock, Ritterkreuzträger & Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Großdeutschland”

Original wartime press photograph of Major Rudolf “Udo” Schwarzrock (1912–1959), Knight’s Cross holder and highly decorated commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Großdeutschland”.

A very interesting original press photograph depicting Rudolf “Udo” Schwarzrock, one of the Knight’s Cross holders of the famous Division “Großdeutschland”.

Schwarzrock served throughout the war with the Großdeutschland formation. On 10 May 1940, he was an Oberleutnant and commander of the 1. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment “Großdeutschland”. He subsequently held a series of increasingly senior command positions, including commander of I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Großdeutschland”.

He was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 3 March 1942 while serving as Chef of the 12. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment “Großdeutschland”. On 19 August 1944, while holding the rank of Major and commanding I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Großdeutschland”, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

The award was connected with his actions during the heavy fighting in Romania in May 1944, where Schwarzrock distinguished himself during Soviet attacks in the area between Târgu Frumos and the Siret. According to contemporary reporting, despite having already suffered multiple wounds and having lost his left leg, he continued to command his battalion. During the fighting he personally directed anti-tank and infantry-gun weapons, reportedly destroying several Soviet tanks, and subsequently led a counterattack to recover an important position.

A contemporary newspaper report from the Danziger Vorposten, dated 30 August 1944, announced the award of the Knight’s Cross to “Major Udo Schwarzrock” and described his actions during these battles. A contemporary September 1944 newspaper also reported the award, identifying him as Major Udo Schwarzrock, battalion commander in the Grenadier-Regiment “Großdeutschland”.

Schwarzrock was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 9 November 1944 and continued to serve in command positions within the Großdeutschland replacement and alarm formations towards the end of the war.