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Hyacinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz (30 July 1893 – 25 April 1968) was a German Army officer of aristocratic descent. Strachwitz saw action in World War I, but rose to fame for his command of armoured forces in World War II. For these services he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds ((ドイツ語:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten)), an award created to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or outstanding military leadership. At the time of its presentation to Strachwitz it was Germany's highest military decoration. Strachwitz was born in 1893 on his family estate in Silesia. He was educated at various Prussian military academies and served with distinction as a cavalry officer in the opening weeks of World War I. He was captured by the French in October 1914 and almost executed on the spot for wearing civilian clothes. He was later sentenced to forced labour and after an odyssey through various French prisons and several escape attempts he returned to Germany after the war in 1918. In the aftermath of World War I, Strachwitz fought with the Freikorps in the Spartacist uprising of the German Revolution in Berlin, and in the Silesian Uprisings against the Poles and Polish Silesians of Upper Silesia. In the mid-1920s he took over the family estate, Groß Stein, from his father and became a member of the Nazi Party and the ''Allgemeine SS''. As an officer in the reserves, he participated in various military exercises during the 1930s. At the outbreak of World War II, Strachwitz was appointed ordnance officer in his unit. He participated in the Invasion of Poland and later in the Battle of France. Transferred to the 16th Panzer Division he fought in the Invasion of Yugoslavia and Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. He fought with distinction on the Eastern Front which led to the presentation of high awards such as the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, for the destruction of more than 270 Soviet tanks and artillery pieces within 48 hours in the tank battle of Kalach. He was given command of ''Panzer-Regiment'' "Großdeutschland" and received the Swords to his Knight's Cross, for his contribution in the counterattack at Kharkov. He then fought in the Battle of Kursk and the German retreat to the Dnieper. While commanding a battle group at Narva front in early 1944 he was awarded the Diamonds to his Knight's Cross on 15 April. He was wounded 12 times during the war, and was also injured in an automobile accident. In 1945, he surrendered to US forces and was taken into custody. By the time of his release in June 1947, his youngest son had been killed in action, his wife had been killed in a road accident, and his Silesian estate had been confiscated by Poland. He remained in West Germany, married again and briefly worked for the Syrian Armed Forces as a military consultant. He lived on an estate in Bavaria from 1951 until his death from lung cancer on 25 April 1968. He was buried with military honours in Grabenstätt, Bavaria. ==Childhood, education and early career== Strachwitz was born on 30 July 1893 in Groß Stein, in the district of Groß Strehlitz in Silesia, a province in the Kingdom of Prussia. Today it is Kamień Śląski, in Gogolin, Opole Voivodeship, Poland. Strachwitz was the second child of Hyacinth Graf Strachwitz (1864–1942) and his wife Aloysia (1872–1940), née Gräfin von Matuschka Freiin von Toppolczan und Spaetgen.〔Röll 2011, pp. 13, 16.〕 He had an older sister, Aloysia (1892–1972), followed by his younger brother Johannes (1896–1917) nicknamed "Ceslaus", his sister Elisabeth (1897–1992), his brother Manfred (1899–1972), his brother Mariano (1902–22), and his youngest sister Margarethe (1905–1989).〔 His family were members of the old Silesian nobility (''Uradel''), and held large estates in Upper Silesia, including the family ''Schloss'' (Palace) at Groß Stein. As the first-born son he was the heir to the title Graf (Count) Strachwitz, and following family tradition he was christened Hyacinth, after the 12th century saint. Some clothing belonging to the saint were in the family's possession until 1945.〔 Strachwitz attended the ''Volksschule'' (primary school) and the ''Gymnasium'' (advanced secondary school) in Oppeln—present-day Opole. He received further schooling and paramilitary training at the ''Königlich Preußischen Kadettenkorps'' (Royal Prussian cadet corps) in Wahlstatt—present-day Legnickie Pole—before he transferred to the ''Hauptkadettenanstalt'' (Main Military Academy) in Berlin-Lichterfelde. Among his closest friends at the cadet academy were Manfred von Richthofen, the World War I flying ace and a fellow Silesian, and Hans von Aulock, brother of the World War II colonel Andreas von Aulock.〔 In August 1912, Cadet Strachwitz was admitted to the élite ''Gardes du Corps'' (Life Guards) cavalry regiment in Potsdam as a ''Fähnrich'' (Ensign). The Life Guards had been established by Prussian King Frederick the Great in 1740, and were considered the most prestigious posting in the Imperial German Army. Their patron was Emperor Wilhelm II, who nominally commanded them. Strachwitz was sent to an officer training course at the ''Kriegsschule'' (War School) in Hanover in late 1912, where he excelled at various sports.〔 Strachwitz was commissioned as ''Leutnant'' (Second Lieutenant) on 17 February 1914.〔Röll 2011, p. 188.〕 At this early stage of his career in Potsdam, Strachwitz began insisting on being addressed as "''Herr Graf''" rather than "''Herr Leutnant''", even from higher-ranking officers, a quirk that he maintained throughout his career. He always felt prouder of his aristocratic descent than of his military rank.〔Röll 2011, p. 19.〕 His close friends called him ''Conté'' (Count).〔Berger 2000, p. 348.〕 Upon his return from Hanover to the Prussian Main Military Academy, Strachwitz was appointed sports-officer for the Life Guards, where he introduced the soldiers to daily gymnastics and weekly endurance running. The sports team of the Life Guards was selected to participate in the 1916 Olympic Games, which further encouraged his ambition. He participated in many sporting activities, particularly equestrian, fencing and track and field athletics, which became his prime focus. Strachwitz continued to excel as a sportsman, and with his friend Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia, was among the best athletes to train for the Olympic Games.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hyacinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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