Günter Halm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Günter Halm
Günter Halm in 2011
Born	27 August 1922 Elze, Germany
Died	26 September 2017 (aged 95) Bad Münder, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1941–45
Rank	Leutnant
Unit	21. Panzer Division
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class

Günter Halm (born August 27, 1922 – died September 26, 2017) was a German soldier. He was a member of the Afrika Korps, a German army group in North Africa during World War II. Halm was the youngest person in the Afrika Korps to receive the Knight's Cross, a very high award for bravery. He earned this award for his actions in battle.

Early Life and Joining the Army

Günter Halm was born in a town called Elze, Germany, in 1922. He went to school in Braunschweig and trained to become a machinist, someone who works with machines.

In late 1941, when he was 19, Halm joined the German army. After his basic training, he was sent to the Afrika Korps in 1942. There, he became a gunner in an anti-tank unit. This unit was part of the 21st Panzer Division.

Military Service

Fighting in North Africa

Günter Halm's anti-tank unit used special guns to fight enemy tanks. These were captured Soviet guns, called "Ratsch-Bumm" by the German soldiers. Halm's unit fought in a big battle called the Battle of Gazala in 1942.

In July 1942, Halm was promoted to a higher rank. Soon after, he received the Iron Cross 2nd Class. This award was for destroying two British tanks during the Battle of Bir Hakeim.

He then fought in the First Battle of El Alamein. On July 22, 1942, his gun was hit, and two of his crew members were hurt. But Halm kept fighting. He managed to destroy 15 British tanks at Ruweisat Ridge. This brave action stopped a British attack very quickly.

For his amazing courage, Günter Halm was given the Iron Cross 1st Class. People felt he deserved an even higher award. So, on August 7, 1942, at just 19 years old, he received Germany's highest award for bravery: the Knight's Cross. He received it from Erwin Rommel, a famous German general.

Halm was promoted again in November 1942. He was wounded twice in battle, first in December 1942 and then in March 1943. After recovering in hospitals, he continued his training. He completed a special paratrooper course in 1943. He was promoted several more times, becoming a Feldwebel (a type of sergeant) and then an Oberfähnrich (a senior officer candidate).

Fighting in Normandy

From late 1943 to early 1944, Halm trained to become an officer in Berlin. He was promoted to Leutnant (lieutenant). In March 1944, he was sent to France. There, he served with the 21st Panzer Division again.

During the intense fighting at the Falaise Pocket in August 1944, Halm was captured by Allied soldiers. He was then sent to a prisoner-of-war camp in the United States.

Life After the War

Günter Halm was released from the camp in 1946 and returned to Germany. He and his wife took over her parents' fuel business. They ran it for 42 years before retiring.

Halm was very active in his community in Bad Münder. He joined a local sports club and later became its chairman for 20 years. The club made him an honorary chairman to show their respect. He also helped lead a group that cares for war graves across Germany. He was also part of a local bank's board and a shooting club.

For all his community work, Halm received many honors. These included a special badge from a sports association and a medal from his town. In 1995, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, which is a high civilian award.

In 2004, a group of army reservists named their unit after him to honor his service. In 2012, Halm published his life story in a book.

Günter Halm passed away in September 2017 at the age of 95.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd class & 1st class (July 29, 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (July 29, 1942)

See also

• List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (Ha–Hm)