Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur I./Artillerie-Regiment 65 (mot.) / 29. Infanteriedivision "Falke"

Awarded on:

September 29th, 1940

Kratsch was awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions near Morre on the 18.06.1940. These are detailed in the following excerpt from his Knight’s Cross recommendation…

“The enemy had established themselves amongst the houses in Morre as well as the cliffs to the north of and the bushy terrain to the north/south of the road. At daybreak they ambushed the marching 3. Batterie with anti-tank, heavy machine-gun and rifle fire to the point where the Batterie had to abandon its vehicles and take cover. The strong enemy fire from three sides meant that no-one from the Batterie was in any position to offer resistance. Any movement was immediately fired upon by the enemy, and heavy losses in dead and wounded were incurred due to the lack of any really useful cover. Total losses: 12 dead and 22 wounded (some very badly). The Batterie commander and observation officer were unable to lead any resistance after they had themselves been wounded. The Batterie officer was killed. The French forces were apparently determined to fight, and were also fully acquainted with the terrain.

Major Dr. Kratsch encountered Oberleutnant Wöbbeking (of 2. Batterie) just before the village as the latter was rushing to help the cut-off Batterie with his officer, a cannon, some MGs and 25 men. While Oberleutnant Wöbbeking searched for a position for his gun, Major Dr. Kratsch took over leadership of the infantry counterattack. Two assault groups were created. Major Dr. Kratsch led one of these personally. He had about 6 men and 3 light machine-guns with him. The counterattack began, but it was strongly impeded by the ongoing enemy fire that came from all directions. However, armed only with a pistol, Major Dr. Kratsch dashed ahead through the strong enemy fire without regard for his own safety. He crawled through the road ditch during the final stretch in order to link up with 3. Batterie and confirm where the enemy was located. As he did so he recognized an MG that was located south of the road in the rear of the Batterie. He worked his way up to the MG with a few dashes and took out the wildly firing crew with pistol shots. In the process he took an officer prisoner. As this appeared to be the commander of an MG company, Major Kratsch demanded that he point out the positions of the remaining MGs. The captured officer declared himself ready to do this, and he went with Major Dr. Kratsch towards the MGs that were still firing. Suddenly, 20 metres before a house that concealed an MG, the captured officer cried ‘Fire!’ and jumped to the side at the same moment. However Major Dr. Kratsch was able to take cover despite being directly in the path of the MG burst.

He then went forward against this now recognized MG with the follow-up men of his Abteilung. Despite the lack of cover on the approach it was possible to knock out this MG. Meanwhile further MGs and anti-tank guns were recognized. Major Dr. Kratsch now took these on as well by working towards them with 3-4 men while friendly MGs suppressed identified MGs and anti-tank guns. Then, just as friendly fire ceased, he and went forwards against the enemy MGs and anti-tank gun and took them out with his pistol. This scene repeated itself against other enemy MGs and anti-tank guns. Wachtmeister Rupke and Gefreiter Tristam were both killed as they stormed forward alongside Major Dr. Kratsch, Gefreiter Hagedorn was badly wounded. A further attack against enemy MG positions that had been built into the cliffs was hopeless without artillery support. Major Dr. Kratsch now ordered these targets to be engaged by the now in-position gun of 2. Batterie. This gun fired about 60 shots of ammunition over open sights at a range of 400 metres. This effective fire demoralized the enemy and forced them to surrender.

The battle lasted a total of about 3-4 hours. The enemy had been well dug-in and vastly superior in numbers and heavy weapons. And yet, under the leadership of their commander, this handful of artillerymen managed to capture over 20 MGs and anti-tank guns as well as 350 prisoners (including a colonel and about 30 officers). The enemy also left behind numerous dead and wounded.

Ultimately, the bitterly resisting enemy group at Morre was forced to surrender only through the energetic, self-sacrificing and exemplary conduct of Major Dr. Kratsch.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Artillerie-Regiment 29 / 29. Infanteriedivision "Falke"

Awarded on:

January 28th, 1943