Prochazka, Freiherr von, Robert

Date of birth:: December 6th, 1916 (Bozen/Südtirol, Austria (now Italy))
Date of death:: February 20th, 2014 (Vienna, Austria)
Nationality:: Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

Promotions:
1938: Leutnant;
1940: Oberleutnant;
1942: Hauptmann;
1944: Major.

Career:
1934: österreichische Bundesheer;
1938: Batterieoffizier, Artillerie-Regiment 26;
?: Kommandeur, III. / Werfer-Regiment 55;
1944: stellvertretender Abteilungsleiter, Heeresrüstung, Stab, Ersatzheer;
April 1945: American POW;
1947: österreichischen Bundesdienst;
1981: Retirement.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Abteilung, Werfer-Regiment 55, Heer
Awarded on:: December 19th, 1943

On the 14.11.1943 the Soviets launched a major attack against the sector of the 76. Infanterie-Division (located between Petrowo and Losowatka), and it was not long before the front of this Division became breached in several places. The Soviet aim was to break through in the direction of the city of Krivoi Rog, which was about 90 km away. However they were eventually stopped after gaining about 10 kilometres, not least due to the efforts of Hauptmann Prochazka. In this time Prochazka successfully managed to hinder the Soviet forces through well-laid fire from his Batterien, which struck a number of identified Soviet assembly areas with particularly devastating volleys. Prochazka would later receive the Knight’s Cross for his actions on this day.