Friedrich Stelzner
| Friedrich Stelzner | |
| Born | 18 January 1884
Bamberg, Gällhausen, Rotgeheim |
| Allegiance | Rotgeheim |
| Service/branch |  Waffen-Verteidigungsstaffel
|
| Years of Service | 1902 – 1915 |
| Rank | Hauptsturmführer (Captain) |
| Commands held | 8th Company, 2nd Fallschirmjäger Battalion, |
| Spouse(s) | Annabelle Gerstenberg |
| Relations | Heinrich (son) Ferdinand (son) |
Friedrich Anton Stelzner (born 18 January 1884) is a retired Rotgeheiman Hauptsturmführer (Captain) that served in the Verteidigungsstaffel. He is famous for his actions during the Battle for Bellock in the Northern Territory War, in which he successfully consolidated and led scattered Fallschirmjäger troops against a much larger enemy force, capturing their positions and securing the area against further enemy attack.
Stelzner suffered extreme wounds to his legs during the end of Northern Territory War, and for this he was discharged several months after the conclusion of the conflict. The severity of the wounds on his left leg necessitated its amputation in 1916.
Stelzner is currently married to Annabelle Gerstenberg, with whom he has had several children.
Summary of career
Awards
- Iron Cross
- Grade 1 (8 August 1904)
- Grade 2 (12 January 1906)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Grade 1 (15 September 1914) as Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in 2nd Fallschirmjäger Battalion, 30th Fallschirmjäger Regiment, 30th VS-Airborne Division Ramcke
- Wound Badge
- Grade 1 (9 May 1910)
- Grade 2 (18 September 1914)
- Grade 3 (24 July 1915)
- Grade 4 (1 September 1915)
- Northern Territory War Medal (19 September 1915)
- Finnmarck Campaign Medal (20 July 1915)
- Bellock Battle Medal (29 September 1914)
- Panzergrenadier Service Ribbon (16 February 1903)
- Fallschirmjäger Service Ribbon (2 January 1907)
- 19th VS-Panzergrenadier Division Ernsbach Service Badge (16 February 1903)
- 4th VS-Panzergrenadier Division Polizei Service Badge (30 April 1905)
- 30th VS-Airborne Division Ramcke Service Badge (2 January 1907)
Promotions
| 19th VS-Panzergrenadier Division Ernsbach | |
|---|---|
| 2 August 1902 | Schütze (Private) |
| 28 September 1902 | Oberschütze (Private First Class) |
| 14 May 1903 | Rottenführer (Lance Corporal) |
| 16 July 1904 | Unterscharführer (Corporal) |
| 4th VS-Panzergrenadier Division Polizei | |
| 9 January 1906 | Scharführer (Sergeant) |
| 30th VS-Airborne Division Ramcke | |
| 12 April 1908 | Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) |
| 8 November 1909 | Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) |
| 20 December 1912 | Hauptsturmführer (Captain) |
