Johann von Ravenstein
| Johann von Ravenstein | |
|---|---|
Johann von Ravenstein
|
|
| Born |
1 January 1889 Strehlen |
| Died | 26 March 1962 (aged 73) Duisburg |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1909–45 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Commands held |
5th Light Division 21st Panzer Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
| Awards |
Pour le Mérite Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Johann "Hans" Theodor von Ravenstein (1 January 1889 – 26 March 1962) was a German officer in the armed forces and held the final rank of Generalleutnant. He fought in the First and Second World Wars and was taken prisoner by New Zealanders at Point 175 during the Second World War. After his return to Germany in 1948 he was active in Duisburg as a director of traffic.
Johann Friedrich Theodor Heinrich Adolf von Ravenstein was born in Strehlen into a military family. Among his ancestors was Johann Friedrich August von Ravenstein, who was an aide to Blücher at the Battle of Waterloo and received the Iron Cross.
In 1909 Ravenstein joined the Grenadier-Regiment König Wilhelm I. Nr. 7 at Liegnitz. He transferred soon to the 7. West Prussian infantry regiment NR. 155 at Ostrowo, and was promoted to Lieutenant.
Ravenstein entered the First World War as a battalion adjutant officer and saw considerable action on the Western Front, participating in the battles of Verdun, the Somme, and the Champagne Offensive. In 1916 he received the Ritterkreuz des Königlichen Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern. Altogether he was wounded three times. In the 1918 Spring Offensive Ravenstein commanded the 1st Battalion of the Füsilier Regiment von Steinmetz (West Prussian) Nr. 37. On 27 May 1918 his battalion broke through the opposing line at Soissons. After capturing the notorious Chemin des Dames, he succeeded, with 10 soldiers, to capture the bridge over the Aisne at Bourg intact. His troops took 1500 prisoners and captured 32 cannons. For this accomplishment Ravenstein received the Pour le Mérite.
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