Knights Cross Holder Biography
Ernst Barkmann | |
| Rank | Unterscharführer |
| Awarded | 8/27/1944 |
| Branch | SS |
| As | Panzerkommandant |
| with/of/in | 4./ SS-Panzer Regiment 2 Das Reich 2. SS-Panzerdivision |
| Oakleaves | |
| Swords | |
| Diamonds | |
| Details | Born: August 25th, 1919 near Bad Segeberg, Holstein Died: Still Alive Received the 2nd and 1st Class Iron Cross and in 1944, the Knights Cross as an SS-Unterscharfuhrer of a Panther tank (421), 4th Company, 2nd SS Panzer Regiment, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, 7th Panzer Army, Army Group B. Joined the SS-VT in 1939 as a member of the Standarte Germania. Barkmann then served as a motorized infantryman and while serving as such, received the Infantry Assault Badge and the panzer assault badge for 50 battles. He also received the Gold Wound Badge for being wounded five times. He was transferred to the 2.Kompanie/SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 in 1942. SS-Unterscharführer Ernst Barkmann later led 4.Kompanie/I.Abteilung/SS-Panzer-Regiment 2/2.SS-Panzer-Division Das Reich at Normandy. Barkmann's command tank #424, was set on fire by American A-T gunfire from units of the 3rd Armored on July 13th. They managed to put out the fire and get the Panther to a repair company. He was back in 424 by the end of the 14th. It was damaged again on the 25th by Jabo's. It was in this Panther #424 that Barkmann knocked out 9 Shermans and a bunch jeeps and halftracks at "Barkmanns Corner" on the 27th. Barkmann and 424 continued to fight breaking out of several encirclements until August 1st when trying to destroy a tank they had been towing #424 was set afire by exploding ammo. Barkmann is still alive and lives in Germany. |