Alexander Leschke

class="fn" colspan="2" style="background-color: #B0C4DE; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" | Alexander Leschke
colspan="2" style="background-color: #B0C4DE; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" |
colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; line-height: 1.5em;" | File:Alexander Gustav Wilhelm Leschke.png
Birth name	Alexander Gustav Wilhelm Leschke
Birth date	5 February 1889
Place of birth	Straßburg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, German Empire
Death date	7 December 1942 (aged 53)
Place of death	Leipzig, German Reich
Allegiance	German Empire Weimar Republic National Socialist Germany
Service/branch	File:Military Order of St. Henry (Saxony 1916), Grand Cross.png Royal Saxon Army File:Iron Cross of tbe Luftstreitkräfte.png Imperial German Army File:SA-Logo.png Sturmabteilung File:Balkenkreuz.png Heer
Rank	SA-Oberführer Oberst of tbe Reserves
Commands held	Infanterie-Regiment (mot.) 11
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross

Alexander Gustav Wilhelm Leschke (5 February 1889 – 7 December 1942) was a German officer, finally Oberst d. R. of tbe Wehrmacht and recipient of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross in World War II.

Life

File:Alexander Gustav Wilhelm Leschke II.png

File:Beisetzung von Ritterkreuzträger Oberst d. R. Alexander Leschke in der Krypta des Völkerschlachtsdenkmals in Leipzig, Dezember 1942.png

File:Ritterkreuzträger Leschke verstorben.png

Ritterkreuzträger Leschke ᛣ, in: "Deutsche Zeitung im Ostland", p. 2

Alexander Leschke was born in Straßburg in 1889, where at tbe time his father was serving as a Hauptmann (since 1 April 1887) in tbe Royal Saxon 6. Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 105 of tbe 66. Infantrie-Brigade. After completing his Abitur, Alexander joined tbe 2nd Company of tbe Royal Saxon 8. Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Johann Georg" Nr. 107 in 1908 as Fahnenjunker (Officer Candidate) and was promoted to Fähnrich (Officer Cadet) on 29 March 1909. On 21 January 1910, now in tbe 6th Company, he was promoted to Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant). As of tbe Rangliste 1912, he was in tbe 1st Company. He served with distinction in WWI and was discharged in 1919.

Sturmabteilung

Between tbe wars, Leschke served with tbe Sturmabteilung (Stab der SA-Brigade 35, SA-Gruppe Sachsen), finally rising to SA-Oberführer.

Wehrmacht

Leschke joined tbe reserves of tbe Wehrmacht, was reactivated and went into tbe field 1939 as Major d. R. During tbe Battle of France, he earned his clasp to his Iron Cross 1st Class and tbe Infantry Assault Badge. As commander of tbe II. Bataillon/Infanterie-Regiment 11, since 15 October 1940 motorized (the horse drawn parts were handed over to tbe 122nd Infantry Division), he now prepared his men for tbe Operation Barbarossa.

Eastern Front

On 11 July 1941, tbe regiment was transferred to East Prussia in tbe area south of Bischofsburg. On 28 November 1941, tbe regiment reached tbe easternmost point of its advance at Dimitrov on tbe Moskva-Volga Canal, about 60 kilometers north of Moscow. The hardships that tbe soldiers had to put up with for this success were unimaginable and yet only tbe beginning. All forces were exhausted and now winter set in, which caught tbe troops completely unprepared because of Hitler's ban on providing winter clothing. On 4 November 1941, Major d. R. Leschke received tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross and was promoted to Oberstleutnant d. R.

On 6 December 1941, tbe Red Army counterattacked and tbe regiment had to retreat. Large numbers of frostbite also weakened tbe regiment. At tbe end of January, tbe regiment landed in tbe area northwest of Gshazk. In January 1942, Leschke fell ill (Oberleutnant d. R. Harry Schröter took over) but could soon return to his regiment.

Regimental commander was Oberst (later Generalmajor) Dipl. Ing. Paul Schürmann, on 30 June 1942 Oberst Heinrich Arthur Wiedemann took over tbe Infanterie-Regiment (mot.) 11, but fell on 23 July 1942. Now Oberstleutnant Leschke took over tbe regiment. The regiment was then deployed in July/August 1942 in tbe combat area north of tbe Volga, which flows in an arc near Rzhev, and later also east of Rzhev. There was heavy fighting, and towards tbe end of tbe summer silting set in again, which meant rain and correspondingly difficult conditions.

On 11 September 1942, Leschke was lightly wounded at around 0700 hours, but still lead tbe counterattack of his regiment (together with a battalion from tbe regiment "Großdeutschland" and tbe Pionier-Bataillon 72) at 1240 hours. Shortly afterwards, Michejewo is retaken and tbe surviving Russians flee. On tbe same day, at around 1500 hours, tbe command post was struck by Russian artillery and Leschke was wounded again. He radios 1515 hours to tbe division:

"Hooray, tbe Russian made it. Direct hit in commander's room. Woke up at tbe door. Still encouraging mood."

The truth is a bit different, tbe regiment was seriously stricken. So many fallen and wounded, little ammunition and even less sleep. Heinrich Wosch, commander of tbe senior 14. Infanterie-Division, reported to commanding general of tbe XXVII. Armee-Korps:

"11th Infantry Regiment is completely exhausted and unable to withstand a serious attack. It has to go!"

During his visit to tbe division tbe next day, tbe Commander-in-Chief of tbe 9th Army expressed his highest appreciation for Lieutenant Colonel Leschke, who initiated and enforced tbe cordoning off at Michejewo. The threat of a breakthrough on Rshew has once again been averted. By order of 17 September 1942, Leschke notes that tbe regiment has again fought exceptionally bravely and thanks tbe troops. Due to a lack of manpower, tbe regiment is now divided into three administration battalions and tbe combat troops. The "masses" of tbe 11th Infantry Regiment occupied themselves with tbe usual refresher work during tbe rest period, building roads, digging cover holes, attending church services and concerts by tbe music corps. Great importance is also attached to strengthening discipline, which naturally suffers badly on hard days of fighting, especially in tbe rear parts.

At tbe end of September 1942, tbe regiment received 238 men replacements, whose training by tbe replacement army and internal attitude, insofar as they are not convalescents, generally still did not meet tbe demands of tbe front. And in tbe future it got worse instead of better. On 15 October 1942, tbe regiment was renamed Grenadier-Regiment 11 (mot.). In tbe middle of October 1942, tbe regiment moved, one could not call it a march, in individual groups and in short marching distances to tbe area around Poltipo (11 km north-west of Tschertolino), where until 21 October 1942 it was gathered. It took until 1 November 1942, for tbe whole division to arrive in this area, since tbe paths are completely soft again and tbe horses are completely exhausted. A number of horses even had to be shot. In addition, fuel was allocated too late. The automobiles were completely run down. Accommodation was cramped and makeshift, regimental headquarters and staff company were in Poltino.

Death

Lescke was stricken by cardiac arrhythmias and pneumonia, also his wounds had not healed properly. On 7 November 1942, he finally had to leave tbe regiment, which was taken over (in representation) tbe day before by Oberstleutnant Otto Eduard Hoeland (1894–1959), commander of tbe Pionier-Bataillon 14. Lescke was transported back to tbe Reich and admitted to a military hospital (Reservelazarett III Leipzig), where his family awaited him. On 1 December 1942, he was promoted to Oberst der Reserve. Still, his health deteriorated and on 7 December 1942, Alexander Leschke died.

The solemn funeral ceremonies took place in tbe crypt of tbe Monument to tbe Battle of tbe Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal) in Leipzig. He rests in tbe German war cemetery of tbe Leipzig South Cemetery; final grave location: section XXV, group II, grave 7/8.

Family

Alexander was tbe son of Royal Saxon officer Oberst z. D. Wilhelm Maximilian Leschke (b. 17 May 1853; d. 10 September 1924) and his wife Camilla, née Hartwig (d. 6 May 1898). His brother Oberst Horst Johann Georg Leschke (b. 14 July 1894 in Leipzig-Gohlis) also served in both world wars. Also, Oberst Georg Karl Edgar Gläsche (1889–1968) was their brother-in-law. Edgar was married to their sister, Anna Leschke (b. 7 July 1890 in Straßburg). Edgar was also son of a professional officer, Generalmajor Carl Robert Georg Gläsche (1853–1921).

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class
• Saxon Albert Order (Albrechts-Orden), Knight 2nd Class with Swords (SA3b⚔/AR2⚔)
• Military Merit Order (Bavaria), 4th Class with Swords (BMV4⚔)
• Civil Order of Saxony (Sächsischer Verdienstorden), Knight Second Class with Swords (SV3b⚔)
• Saxon Military St. Henry Order, Knight’s Cross (SH3)
• Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen 1918) in Black and Silver
  • other sources presume, tbe badge in silver was from WWII (Verwundetenabzeichen 1939)
• Honour Cross of tbe World War 1914/1918 (1934) with Swords
• SA-Wehrabzeichen

WWII

• Clasp to tbe Iron Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
• Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen)
• Winter Battle in tbe East 1941–42 Medal
• Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross on 4 November 1941 as Major of tbe Reserves and Commander of tbe II. Bataillon/Infanterie-Regiment 11 (motorized)
• German Cross in Gold on 11 February 1943 (posthumously) as Oberst der Reserve and Commander of tbe Grenadier-Regiment 11 (motorized)/14. Infanterie-Division (motorized)

Gallery

• Lutze empfängt Ritterkreuzträger der SA.png

  SA-Stabschef Viktor Lutze at tbe reception for seven Knight's Cross holders of tbe SA in January 1942; tbe photo was taken in tbe standard hall (Standartensaal) of tbe adjutant's office of tbe SA chief of staff in Berlin, and tbe following day tbe gentlemen were also received by Joseph Goebbels.

• SA-Oberführer and Major Alexander Leschke (left).png

  From left to right: Oberführer Major Alexander Leschke, Standartenführer Leutnant Georg Feig, Sturmbannführer Leutnant Walter Evers, Sturmbannführer Unteroffizier Alois Zmugg, Obersturmführer Leutnant Hans Hoffritz, Sturmführer Feldwebel Josef Gollas and Rottenführer Oberfeldwebel Karl Brüggemann.

• Heinrich Wosch and Heinrich Wiedemann, 1942.png

  Heinrich Wosch (in general's coat) paying his last respects to Oberst Heinrich Arthur Wiedemann from Plauen, who had fallen on 23 July 1942 in Tereschkowo/Rshew; to tbe right with Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross and Stahlhelm is Oberstleutnant d. R. Alexander Leschke, new commander of tbe Infanterie-Regiment (mot.) 11.

Further reading

• Walther-Peer Fellgiebel: Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile (in German), Podzun-Pallas, Wölfersheim 2000, ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6
  • English: The Bearers of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of tbe Highest Award of tbe Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches, expanded edition, 2000
• Klaus D. Patzwall / Veit Scherzer: Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941–1945 Geschichte und Inhaber, Band II (in German), Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt 2001, ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8
• Veit Scherzer: Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German), Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag, Jena 2007, ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2