Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 12th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 245 / 88.Infanterie-Division (Commander I. / Grenadier-Regiment 245 / 88.Infanterie-Division)

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1943

The following wartime excerpt describes why Bregenzer was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 31.01.1943, following the completion of a security mission, Hauptmann Bregenzer and his Bataillon were attacked by strong enemy forces while marching back to the Division west of Voronezh. He immediately thrust against the Soviets with his Grenadier-Bataillon and eliminated 2 enemy battalions and 11 tanks.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

I. / Grenadier-Regiment 245

Awarded on:

October 9th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 13th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 245 (Commander Grenadier-Regiment 245)

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1944

On the 10.03.1944 Bregenzer assumed command of a Kampfgruppe comprised of his regimental staff (commander, 1 Oberleutnant and 1 messenger), Major Schäfer with about 60 infantry and 4 MGs, and another approximately 100 men from a bakery and butcher Kompanie. His mission was to block the road to Dschulinka from the village of Teotilowka. This was within a bridgehead along the Bug river southwest of Uman.

On the 11.03.1944 a Panther and a Sturmgeschütz were attached to the Kampfgruppe.

Eventually, at 05:00 on the 12.03.1944, the Soviets penetrated into the rear of the Kampfgruppe following a 16 hour battle. After breaking out from the Teotilowka school Bregenzer and his Kampfgruppe headed towards Dschulinka. Bregenzer directed the ensuing battle from the deck of the Sturmgeschütz. A battery of Katyushas were destroyed on the village’s eastern edge, and 24 T-34 tanks were also destroyed. However the Soviet resistance in the village then stiffened, and since by then the nearby bridge over the Bug was destroyed, Bregenzer led his men over to the river’s western bank via an emergency footbridge.

He would later be awarded the Oakleaves for his achievements during this difficult defensive battle.

427th Award

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version