At the end of January 1943 Strachwitz was ordered to the "Führerhauptquartier". Talking to General Rudolf Schmundt and Kurt Zeitzler, the Chief of Staff of the "Oberkommando des Heeres", he was tasked with the creation of the Panzerregiment "Großdeutschland". The regiment was subordinated to the Infantrie-Division (motorized) "Großdeutschland" then under the command of "Generalmajor" Walter Hörnlein. He led the regiment when it took part in the Third Battle of Kharkov, fighting alongside SS-"Gruppenführer" Paul Hausser's II SS Panzer Corps. Strachwitz was awarded the Wound Badge in Gold on 16 February 1943 and on 28 March 1943 the Swords to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He received the latter for his leadership at Kharkov and Belgorod. He received the award together with Georg-Wilhelm Postel who had been awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.