Heinrich Brandes (officer)
Heinrich Brandes (born October 31, 1911 in Salzwedel , † 1962 presumably in Grossenhain ) was a German anti-fascist resistance fighter, interbrigadist and most recently colonel of the NVA of the German Democratic Republic.
Life
After attending primary school, he began working as a bricklayer. In 1926 he became a member of the SAJ ( Socialist Workers' Youth ) and in 1929 he joined the SPD . In April 1934 he emigrated to Belgium and after the start of the Franco-coup he went to Spain as a volunteer. He fought on the northern and central fronts until 1939, as well as in Catalonia , was an officer and was most recently political commissar in the " Thälmann Battalion " of the International Brigades . During this time he joined the KPD . Heinrich Brandes was seriously wounded in 1939 and was then in hospitals in France, in internment camps and in the Miranda de Ebro concentration camp . From February 1945 to February 1946 he was held in custody in Madrid.
After his return to Salzwedel in July 1946, he was appointed chief commissioner of the district police. Until 1949 he worked as a district police chief in Gardelegen , was promoted to senior councilor on May 1, 1949 and was appointed commander of the Erxleben border readiness. From September 1949 to October 1950, Councilor Brandes attended a special course in the Soviet Union . After completing the course, he first worked as a VP commander in the VP readiness in Eggesin, then as a major in the Kasernierte Volkspolizei (KVP) in Torgau and Spremberg. A qualification course at the College for Officers in Dresden (1954–1955) brought the promotion to lieutenant colonel and qualified him for the assignment as head of the tank school of the KVP in Grossenhain. After the founding of the NVA, he was promoted to colonel on May 31, 1956.
From September 1, 1956 to April 30, 1958, Colonel Brandes succeeded Colonel Werner Pilz as commander of the 7th Panzer Division . He then attended the Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR for two years , and from May 30th he was appointed commander of the NVA tank officers' school in Grossenhain.
He was seriously injured in a business sport incident, was dismissed with effect from May 31, 1962 “for being unfit for military service” and died a few months after being disabled.
Awards and honors
- 1956 Hans Beimler Medal
- 1957 Patriotic Order of Merit in bronze
- Medal for fighters against fascism 1933 to 1945
- Battle medals "For services to the people and fatherland" in bronze
- On February 28, 1989, the NVA's 11th reconnaissance battalion was given the traditional name "Heinrich Brandes".
literature
- Klaus Froh, Rüdiger Wenzke : The generals and admirals of the NVA. A biographical manual. 5th revised edition. Published by the Military History Research Office . Christoph-Links-Verlag . Berlin 2007. ISBN 978-3-86153-438-9 . P. 265.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Brandes, Heinrich |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German officer, Colonel of the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 31, 1911 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Salzwedel |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1962 |
| Place of death | unsure: Grossenhain |