Most of the surviving German soldiers surrendered on 18 September, but Ramcke attempted to escape from the city. Ramcke led what the US Army official history described as "a group of diehards", which was forced to surrender on 19 September.[11] On the same day he was awarded the Swords (99th Recipient) & Diamonds (20th recipient) to the Knights Cross.[12] Ramcke's career was unusual in that he served in all three branches of the German armed forces.[13]