Favourite Knights Cross Action

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Alfred Germer in the assault on the “Ouvrage de La Ferté” in 1940.

“Oberleutnant Alfred Germer used his reinforced sapper company to assault and neutralize the enemy's Panzerwerk 505 (Armored Fortress 505) located near Villy. During this action, he set his men a fine example of energetic and fearless devotion to duty. He executed his mission with surprisingly few casualties and was the first to enter the armored redoubt."

The fortification mentioned in this article was known by the French as the “Ouvrage de La Ferté”. The aforementioned action took place on May 18, 1940.

Source: https://crainsmilitaria.com/index.php?r ... ct_id=2334
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/480 ... on-171.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Johann Rast, April 21, 1914 (Traisen/Lower Austria, Austria) - August 31, 1944 (Biedrzyow, Poland).

Oberleutnant Rast was with his sappers (Pioniere) on April 07, 1941 attached to the northern assault group of German troops who had the task of capturing the Greek mountain fortress of "Hellas" (near Nimfea). On the night of April 10, 1941, Oberleutnant Rast and an assault team crossed the 200-meter-wide Nestos River, eliminated enemy bunkers on the opposite bank, and were once again able to clear a path for the main contingent of German infantry.

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) was awarded to him on May 14, 1941 as Kompaniechef, 2. /Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 85.

Source: https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/163 ... Johann.htm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/374064972664?h ... 7675.l2557

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Kurt Meyer (December 23, 1910 Jerxheim/Lower Saxony, Germany - December 23, 1961 Hagen/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany).

Knight's Cross Awarded May 18, 1941 as Kommandeur, Aufklärungs-Abteilung, "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler" (motorized) for “… On April 13, 1941, SS-Sturmbannführer Meyer was ordered to reconnoitre towards Kastoria through the Klisura Pass. Here he achieved a success (on his own initiative) which was instrumental in the rapid capture of Kastoria by cutting off the route of retreat to the city for significant elements of the Greek northern wing. SS-Sturmbannführer Meyer had already played a significant role in the success of the LSSAH during the western campaign while serving as commander of a Vorausabteilung".

Source: https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/136 ... fen-SS.htm
Die Leibstandarte Band II
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioan_Miha ... 8%9B%C4%83

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Peter Ulrich Frantz.

Major im Generalstab Peter Frantz (24.07.1917 † 11.03.2001) earned the Ritterkreuz on June 4, 1942 as Oberleutnant und Chef of the 16. Kompanie/ Infanterie-Regiment “Grossdeutschland” and the Eichenlaub on April 14, 1943 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung “Grossdeutschland”. Good condition.

Knight’s Cross: “In the time period 12.-14.12.1941 Oberleutnant Frantz and his Sturmgeschütz-Kompanie played a vital role in defeating the Soviet attack against Strukowo. In total his unit destroyed 15 tanks, 1 dual-purpose anti-tank/air gun (7.62 cm) and 1 further anti-tank gun. By this action he and his Sturmgeschütze prevented the enemy from thrusting through the woods and cutting off the retreat route of German forces located both on the forest edge and further south of the Tula road.”

Oakleaves: “On the 14.03.1943 Hauptmann Frantz and his Sturmgeschütze were assigned to support the capture of Stanowoje, east of the village of Borrisowka. During the capture of the village the Abteilung destroyed 15 T-34s for the loss of 2 of their own Sturmgeschütze. However it was expected the Soviets would try to retake the village, and aerial reconnaissance reported soon afterwards that 120 tanks and 80 trucks with mounted infantry were approaching.

Hauptmann Frantz personally directed his Sturmgeschütze into position, and ordered them to hold their fire until he gave permission. Hauptmann Frantz allowed the first enemy spearhead (consisting of 18 tanks) to approach to close range before commencing his ambush. All Soviet tanks were destroyed in a blaze of guns. Hauptmann Frantz then gave his Sturmgeschütze orders to attack. Emerging from cover, they took the large Soviet tank formation in the flank and inflicted further heavy losses upon it. The Soviet attack collapsed, and at the end of the battle the Germans were able to accurately count the number of tanks they had destroyed during their enemy’s failed counterattack. This total was 43, all of which were credited to Frantz and his Sturmgeschütze.”

Source: http://www.wolfganghistorica.com/produc ... oakleaves/
https://www.panzeraufgd.co.uk/images/stug/franz.jpg

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Günter Hoffmann-Schoenborn (* May 1, 1905 in Posen/East Prussia, Germany + April 4, 1970 in Bad Kreuznach/Rhineland-Palatinate).

Günther Hoffmann was born on May 1, 1905 in Posen. He only accepted the suffix "Schoenborn" on May 13, 1939. After leaving school, Hoffmann decided to become a professional soldier and joined the Reichswehr on April 1, 1924. At the outbreak of World War II, he led the 2 Battery of the I. Abteilung of the Artillery Regiment 42. As head of the Heavy Artillery Battalion (mot.) 777 he received both Iron Crosses in the campaign in France 1940. On October 1, 1940, Günther Hoffmann-Schoenborn was finally appointed Commander of Sturmgeschützabteilung 191, which bore the "buffalo" as its heraldic animal on its arms. With his commander, who had held the rank of major since November 20, 1940, the Sturmgeschützabteilung 191, took part in the Greek campaign in April 1941 and had his baptism of fire at the Rupel Pass.

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross awarded on May 14, 1941 as Commander of the Assault Gun Battalion 191 "Buffalo", for his support of the Gruppe Ens during the breakout of the Metaxas line. Despite heavy enemy defensive fire and difficult terrain, he managed to get his assault guns into a suitable firing position to cover the Gruppe Ens attack. This support was invaluable to the group's success, allowing it to break through the enemy line and help trigger the collapse of the enemy front.

He was later awarded the Oak Leaves on December 31, 1941 for the distinguished leadership of the Abteilung from him during the advance to the Dnieper River, the river crossing and in the subsequent battle of Encirclement of kiev.

Sources:https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/880 ... Cnther.htm
https://weltkrieg-online.de/?product=soldaten-heft-5

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Alfred Müller (November 23, 1915 Kaltensondheim/Unterfranken - July 2, 1997 Münster/Western Phalia, Germany).

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross conferred on 20 February 1943 as Hauptmann and Chef Sturmgeschütz-Lehr-Batterie 901 for his achievements as a rear commander of the 19. Panzer-Division. In this capacity, he did an excellent job of holding off the onrushing Soviets, which in turn allowed friendly infantry to retreat. In the process, his Sturmgeschütze and escorting infantry were repeatedly surrounded, but each time they managed to escape unaided, even taking other small groups of German troops with them. On February 6, 1943, a Soviet flanking attack threatened the Division's retreat route near Toschkowka. In response, Müller mustered all available troops (messengers, clerks, cooks, etc.) and launched a counterattack along with his Sturmgeschütze which drove the enemy back. His battery destroyed 16 enemy tanks in the process.

He later received the Oak Leaves on December 15, 1943 as Kommandeur Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 191 „Büffel“ for distinguishing himself by crushing the Soviet bridgehead at Eltingen.

Sources: https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/116 ... 3%BCtz.htm
Das III Reich. Sondersheft 10. Kanoniere. Die Deutsche Artillerie von 1939-1945.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hugo Primozic (February 16, 1914 Backnang/Württemberg - March 18, 1996 Fulda/Hesse).

Knight's Cross as Wachtmeister and Zugführer, II. Zug, 2. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 667.

Awarded on September 19, 1942 for destroying 45 enemy tanks during the fighting in the central sector of the Eastern Front. Of these, Primozic destroyed 24 in just one day (15.09.1942) and by doing so was able to prevent a breakout by the enemy.

He later received the Oak Leaves on January 25, 1943 for bringing his total tanks destroyed to 60. During a counterattack on 11.12.1942 he destroyed 7 tanks in one day.

Sources: https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/301 ... g-Hugo.htm
Das III Reich. Sondersheft 10. Kanoniere. Die Deutsche Artillerie von 1939-1945.
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction- ... 45F4B33845

Cheers. Raúl M .