Heinrich Hogrebe – Inf.-Rgt. 422 (Eichenlaub) (Grossdeutschland, Battle of Berlin)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Heinrich Hogrebe. Oberstleutnant Heinrich Hogrebe (22.06.1913 † 25.06.1998) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on April 14, 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve with 1. Kompanie/ Infanterie-Regiment 422 and the Eichenlaub on April 13, 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve und Kommandeur of the II. Bataillon/ Infanterie-Regiment 422 of the 126. Infanterie-Division.

Heinrich Hogrebe joined the Jäger battalion in Goslar in 1934. When the war broke out in 1939, he was at the War School in Berlin-Döberitz and was promoted to lieutenant on August 1, 1940. In October 1940 he joined Infantry Regiment 422, with which he fought in Russia from June 1941. On June 22, 1941 he was commander of the 5th company. On April 1, 1942 he was promoted to active officer and captain, on August 7, 1942 he became commander of the II Battalion. On August 17, 1942, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross for his services as a company commander. In March 1944 he was seriously wounded and on April 13, 1944 he was awarded the Oak Leaves as a major for his services as commander of the II Battalion. After his recovery, on September 1, 1944, he took over the leadership of the “Greater Germany” guard battalion in Berlin. On October 1, 1944, this battalion was upgraded to a regiment and Hogrebe became its first commander. As a lieutenant colonel, he took part in the final battles for Berlin with the regiment.