German Forces

Dietrich Kraiss

Bazooka Joe

Dietrich Kraiss (16 November 1889 – 6 August 1944) was a German Generalleutnant during World War II, awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Kraiss was born in Stuttgart. He was a commander of the 90th Infantry Regiment (from September 1939 to March 1941), 168th Infantry Division (from July 1941 to March 1943) and 355th Infantry Division until May 1943. In November 1943 he took command of the 352nd Infantry Division which was in 1944, with six other divisions, located in Normandy in front of the Allied invasion. The 352nd became notable for its tenacious defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944. ;-) His 352nd Infantry Division had 7,400 soldiers and kept defensive positions around St. Lô. He eventually died on August 6th 1944 of injuries sustained 2 days earlier. (By Bazooka Joe)