Complex sentence: In April 1943 he was awarded the German Cross in Gold and was then promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major) in June 1943 which was followed by the award of the Knight's Cross in August 1943.
Split into simpler sentences: In April 1943 he was awarded the German Cross in Gold and was then promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major) in June 1943. This was followed by the award of the Knight's Cross in August 1943.