Gustav-Adolf Blancbois

Gustav-Adolf Blancbois (23 September 1917 - 15 January 1993) was a lieutenant colonel in the Wehrmacht in World War II. He is most noted for his exploits on the Eastern Front in 1944 and 1945.

World War II

Blancbois distinguished himself during Operation Bagration in 1944, when he led a kampfgruppe from the 12th Panzer Division that rescued 15-20,000 soldiers of the German Ninth Army who had been encircled near Bobruisk. For this exploit, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Blancbois' action was the only successful German relief operation during Bagration.

In March 1945, Blancbois was placed in command of the peculiarly-named Kampfgruppe 1001 Nights, a mobile reserve force for Ninth Army. The kampfgruppe took part in the desperate defense of the Oder River line, in particular at the Battle of Seelow Heights. After taking heavy losses, it was dissolved near Müncheberg.

Awards

* German Cross in Gold (11 March 1943)

After the war

Blancbois survived the destruction of Kampfgruppe 1001 Nights. He, along with a few of his men, escaped the Red Army and managed to flee to the west and surrender to the Western Allies. He died in Germany on 15 January, 1993.

References

* Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit. "Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II". Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, 2001. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.