Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 17th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 29th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 8th, 1943

Silver version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 18th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 25th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Stabskompanie / Grenadier-Regiment 1077 / 542.Volks-Grenadier-Division

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1945

On the 17.01.1945 the Soviets succeeded in penetrating through the German Wkra Position in the Nasielsk area, specifically between the 542. Volksgrenadier-Division and 5. SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking”. In response Major Kopp (the commander of Volksgrenadier-Regiment 1077) decided to entrust the task of throwing back the enemy here to Leutnant Banaski and his reinforced Pionier Zug, which was the regimental reserve. Leutnant Banaski commenced his countermoves with all the forces he had at his disposal, namely his Pionier Zug, the remnants of I. Bataillon, all available staff soldiers and an operational Sturmgeschütz Kompanie (all totalling some 250 men). He and his men succeeded in sealing off the penetration in close combat and encircling some of the attacking Soviet forces. Banaski and his Kampfgruppe captured 200 Soviet prisoners as well as a number of tanks and mortars. This brought the Soviet attack to a halt, and the Division was given the opportunity to withdraw to a fall-back position in an orderly manner. Banaski’s actions furthermore permitted the escape of a German field hospital as well as thousands of refugees.

Leutnant Banaski would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions on this day.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 8th, 1945