Paul-Georg Kleffel | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1920-09-07)7 September 1920 |
| Died | 19 February 2020(2020-02-19) (aged 99) |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany West Germany |
| Branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1939–45 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant (Wehrmacht) Generalleutnant (Bundeswehr) |
| Unit | 3rd Panzer Division 12th Panzer Division |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany |
Paul-Georg Kleffel (7 September 1920 – 19 February 2020 in Bonn) was a German mechanized infantry commander and recipient of theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross duringWorld War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. After the war he joined theBundeswehr ofWest Germany and achieved a general's rank.
Oberleutnant Kleffel was a company commander in the reconnaissance battalion of the 3rd Panzer Division during early 1944. During the division’s defense of Orhei, on 13 April, the Soviets succeeded in reaching a defile in regimental strength just short of a patch of woods to the east of Orhei. From where his company was positioned Kleffel determined if the Russians made it to the woods they would be in a position to compromise the division’s entire defensive position. He launched a counterattack with his eight APCs, and despite fire from Russian AT guns he was able to reach the defile and opened fire, scattering the Russian infantry that were gathered there. He continued to pursue the Russian regiment across the bridge where it had come from, inflicting heavy losses, and pulled back across before the Russians were able to take countermeasures. For his successful spoiling attack Kleffel was awarded the Knight’s Cross.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by GeneralmajorHans Teusen | Commander of12. Panzer-Division (Bundeswehr) 1 October 1973 – 30 September 1976 | Succeeded by GeneralmajorGert Bastian |
| Preceded by GeneralleutnantFranz Pöschl | Commander ofIII. Corps (Bundeswehr) 1 April 1978 – 30 September 1980 | Succeeded by GeneralleutnantWolfgang Altenburg |
