Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel der Reserve (Warrant Officer of Reserves)

Unit:

7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 399, 170. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 30th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Führer, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 399, 170. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 9th, 1945

Laupenmühlen’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“II./GR 399 was instructed to retreat to a new line 1.5 km southwest of Zinten on the evening of the 21.02.1945. By this time all Kompanie commanders had become casualties, and so Oberfeldwebel Laupenmühlen (Kompanie HQ squad leader of 7. Kompanie) decided to take over command of the three rifle Kompanien. It transpired that the enemy had occupied the new line before the arrival of the Bataillon, however they were in turn thrown out.

During the night the Russians succeeded in encircling the Bataillon, with the result that Oberfeldwebel Laupenmühlen no longer had contact with his superiors on the morning of the 22.02.1945. Acting on his own initiative, Laupenmühlen commenced an attack towards the west in order to break open the encirclement ring. This would enable him to reestablish contact with the Bataillon staff and permit the continued defence of the Bataillon’s present defensive line. Elements of the Kompanie continued to defend the main battle line towards the east.

The enemy meanwhile attempted to crush Laupenmühlen’s Kampfgruppe from the north and south. To this end they could count on strong support from heavy weapons and ground attack planes. The battle raged back and forth for 10 hours, but eventually Laupenmühlen finally restored contact with the outside world and drove away the enemy forces on both sides of the Kompanien. With just a few men he knocked out 4 enemy heavy MG crews with hand grenades. In total the enemy left behind 70 dead and numerous wounded. 4 heavy MGs and a large number of small-arms were destroyed.

The defeat of all enemy attempts to crush the trapped German troops is solely attributable to Oberfeldwebel Laupenmühlen’s swift initiative, unbroken battlefield courage and iron will to resist. He ultimately led a total of 14 counterthrusts. His actions here enabled the Division to establish a stable defensive front along the line it was ordered to.”


His nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 20-3-1945 as a teleprinter message. The registry containing the approved or rejected nominations or deferred nominations contains his file card. Major Joachim Domaschk approved the nomination on 2-4-1945. The book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) lists him with an entry date 19-4-1945. The file contains no further evidence of the approval or presentation of the award. A presentation cannot be verified. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.