Alfred Sturm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred Sturm
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Sturm in 1941
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| Born | 23 August 1888 |
| Died | 8 March 1962 (aged 73) |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Nazi Germany |
| Service/ |
Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Crete |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Alfred Sturm (born August 23, 1888 – died March 8, 1962) was a German general during World War II. He was known for his role in the Battle of Crete.
During the Battle of Crete, Alfred Sturm was a high-ranking officer called an Oberst (which is like a colonel). He was in charge of the 2nd Parachute Rifle Regiment. On May 20, 1941, he parachuted out of an airplane over the island of Crete. He landed near the Pigi airfield, which was a very important target.
The next day, on May 21, 1941, Greek soldiers captured Sturm. They handed him over to the Australian 2/11th Battalion. For about ten days, Sturm was held in a temporary prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Pigi village. Because he was a "commissioned officer" (a high-ranking leader), he asked to be kept separate from the regular soldiers. This was a common practice in the German military.
Alfred Sturm later received a special award called the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He earned this award for his brave actions during the Battle of Crete.
Awards and Recognition
Alfred Sturm received several important awards during his military career. These awards recognized his bravery and service.
- Iron Cross (1914): He received the Second Class award on June 18, 1916. He then received the First Class award on January 17, 1917. This award was given for courage in battle.
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939): This was an extra award given to those who had already earned the Iron Cross in World War I. He received the Second Class clasp on October 28, 1940, and the First Class clasp on June 25, 1941.
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross: This was a very high military honor. Alfred Sturm received it on July 9, 1941. He earned it as an Oberst and the commander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2.
