TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Röger, Johannes Evangelist "Hans"

Date of birth:
July 13th, 1920 (Lauingen/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
April 12th, 2009 (Geislingen an der Steige/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland", Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:
September 21st, 1944
Awarded for the following actions…

1) Launching a daring scouting mission during the fighting in Romania in April 1944, where Feldwebel Röger and one of his men dressed up as shepherds and were able to infiltrate the Soviet lines. His cover worked, and he was not only able to gather much valuable intelligence, but also blow up a railway bridge located within Soviet territory.

2) The fighting on 17.08.1944, where the I.(gep)/Panzer-Fusilier Regiment was searching for a place to ford the Venta. On this day Unteroffizier Röger was driving with the rest of his Zug headquarters at the tip of the German spearhead towards the town of Kursenai. When they turned around a bend they suddenly found themselves staring right into the barrel of a Soviet 150mm Howitzer. Acting without hesitation, Röger jumped out of his SPW and stormed forward with his MP 40, capturing the gun and its tractor along with the rest of the platoon. After defending against a Soviet counterattack the Germans pressed on, and were able to reach the Venta. Here it was Röger who managed to find a ford across the small stream. By all these actions he was able to contribute significantly to the advance of his Bataillon on this day.

According to Fellgiebel the surname is Roeger.
According to Scherzer the unit is 1./Füs-Rgt. "GD".
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1945

Awarded in East Prussia in January-February 1945.
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1945

Awarded in East Prussia in January-February 1945.
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1945

Awarded in East Prussia in January-February 1945.
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen

Sources

Photo