|
Hauptmann Horst Trebes
|
 After recieving his Knightscross 1941
|
Born: Cologne, October 22, 1916,
Killed in Action: July 29, 1944 Normandy South of Denys-le-Gast
Fallschirmjäger since: June 1, 1938
Date of enlistement: April 1 1936
Last Service Rank: Hauptmann
Last Service Position: C.O. III Battalion. FJR6
Service Awards
Knight'scross: July 9, 1941
Awarded for: Crete, Operation "Merkur"
Position: Acting, C.O. III Battalion 1st LL Sturm Regiment
German Cross in Gold: ?
Luftwaffe parrachutist badge:
Luftwaffe ground assault badge:
Iron Cross First Class: Holland 1940
Iron Cross Second Class: May 29, 1940
Kreta Armelband
Afrika Armelband
*Bio
Horst Trebes first joined the Whermacht as an Officer candidate April, 1 1936, and was a Leutnant by April 20,1938. Then on June 20, 1938 volunteered for the Army Parachute Infantry Batallion under then Major Heidrich. He was subsequently transferred into the Luftwaffe in April 1, 1939 as part of the III Battalion, 1st Fallschirmjager Regiment.
|
Hauptman Trebes in Normandie
|
 Trebes saw action in Poland, Holland and on Crete is where he served as a staff officer under the 1st Stürm Regiment. Forming a Kampf Gruppe from the Regimental staff. Oberleutnant Trebes, Oberleutnant Schächter and Major Baum landed near the large bridge in 9 gliders West of Malemes. Their mission was to capture the Bridge over the Travotinis river then proceed towards the Flak gun position just to the west of the airfield and capture it with support of I/FJR1.
On May 20, 11:00 hrs Oberleutnant Trebes attacked relieving Leutnant Kalhey's surrounded platoon. During the Attack Major Baun was killed then Oberleutnant Schächter was wounded, assuming command of the Kampfgrupp, Trebes fought his was towards the Regiments IV Battalion. His next attack was on May 23, just west of Palantias, where he broke through and Captured Hill 107, earning him the Knightscross.
It would be unfare to leave out the most tragic event of Trebes' career one that nearly cost him his life and honor, this was the tragic accidental killing of his friend fellow Fallschirmjäger Oberjäger Karl Polzin.
Right: On the cover of Der Adler with Rommel.
|
After the operation on Crete he was awarded the RK and celebrated it in Halberstadt with some FJs. The night party had a tragic ending: Oberjäger Karl Polzin (member of the Trupp 4 at Eben Emael, and one of the famous FJ depicted in the photos taken after the attack) was shot and killed "by accident" by Trebes. Polzin was sleeping in the bathroom and Trebes insisted on awakening him shooting his pistol... It´s easy to imagine the scene and the "situation under total control after a night party" before shooting him...
His mother-in-law saved him from death penalty. She had worked as a nurse during WWI and met Hermann Göring in the Lazarett where she was. After recovering from his wounds, Göring promised he would help her in the future, in case of need. She asked him the favour and Göring interceded on Trebes´behalf. It was also the fact that Trebes was a celebrated hero and recipiant of the RK that spared him in the end. No matter the circumstance the Luftwaffe could not afford the embarresment of having one of their hero's tried in court.
Despite Görings intervention and his RK Trebes fate was sealed ,being stripped of his comission and his RK as well as every order and badge. Trebes now a mear Jäger was sent to Africa, where he was said to of lost his right arm, (this is not proven to be true as many photos after Afrika show him with perectly good use of both limbs). Wounded or not he became a reckless emotionally shattered man tempting fate every chance he got.
Trebes also fought in Russia as commander III/LLStürm Regiment until he was transferred in early spring 1944 to command III/FJR6. Despite all his suicidal missions he excelled and earned an opportunity to regain his honor and literaly won his RK back. The wise Major von der Heydte, desperate for seasoned commanders offered Trebes his chance to regain his honor as commander of his III Battalion 6th Regiment. The ciscumstances behind his death are unclear and the exact location unknown, perhaps somewhere near Carentan, it is beleived to be South of Denys-le-Gast July 29, 1944 during the fighting for the Hedrows and break out of the Allied armies through Saint--Lo. .
|
*Reference: Knight's Cross Holders of the Fallschirmjäger By Franz Kurowski
**Reference: Wehrmacht Awards.com
|
|
|