Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

10./ Inf.Rgt. 110

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1936

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Awarded on:

March 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

II./I.R. 118

Awarded on:

June 16th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 19th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

September 22nd, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

II./J.R. 118

Awarded on:

February 12th, 1942

WIA 2 times : 22.12.1941, and 6.11.1943

Awarded for his 1st wound inflicted on the 22nd of December 1941.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant

Unit:

11./Infanterie-Regiment 118

Awarded on:

May 25th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur II./Pz.Gren.Rgt.103

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1944

Marzluf's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows…

"Major Marzluf has proven himself throughout the entire Eastern campaign as both a leader and fighter whilst serving in the roles of Kompanie and Bataillon commander.

His actions on the 30.05.1944 are particularly worthy of note. On this day he received the mission to take his Bataillon and capture the strongly held and fortified Hill 162 (Russian Hill), located west of Golaesti. He was furthermore tasked with subsequently continuing to advance through enemy positions until reaching the Pruth Lowland. After terrain reconnaissance in this area was conducted Major Marzluf and his Panzer-Grenadier-Bataillon assembled in the forest southwest of Golaesti on the night of the 29./30.05.1944. The Bataillon assumed the following formation:

Right: 7. Kompanie
Left: 5. Kompanie
Rear: 6. Kompanie

The I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 103 and II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 108 were positioned on the left.

Under the protection of friendly artillery fire, the Kompanien worked their way close to the enemy positions before beginning the attack at 04:00 after the preparatory barrage had lifted. However the attack already bogged down before the strongly constructed enemy positions at 04:10 under the combined fire of the enemy's weaponry. At this point Major Marzluf made the decision to take his reserve Kompanie in an advance that led east of Hill 162, with the aim being to capture the Hill via envelopment.

He personally deployed the Kompanie and followed behind it. When this attack too threatened to stall after the commander had fallen, Marzluf personally took over command of the Kompanie and used it to storm the strongly fortified enemy positions in a ruthless display of duty. He was the first to penetrate into these positions, and thereafter fought to secure the enemy trenches with hand grenades and machine-pistol in hand. By 04:50 he had succeeded in taking possession of Hill 162, a stronghold that had hitherto been thought to be unconquerable. With this he eliminated the enemy flanking fire that had been hindering the advance of I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 103 and II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 108 (both of which were positioned further towards the west). The cessation of this strong enemy fire enabled the attack of these two Bataillonen to resume as well, and they were able to reach their attack objective.

However the extremely difficult combat did not stop, and about a half hour later the enemy commenced a strong and skillful counterthrust that had the aim of retaking the hill. But Marzluf had by then arranged his Bataillon in such a way that it succeeded in stopping this strong enemy counterthrust (one supported by 3 tanks and artillery fire from all calibers) after extremely fierce fighting. Subsequent thrusts by the Bataillon penetrated into the attacking enemy forces and largely destroyed them. The remaining enemy positions were cleared of the bitterly defending enemy, and the ordered attack objective of the Pruth Lowland was reached.

This display of determination and bravery by Major Marzluf resulted in a total success being achieved against a very tough opposing force. His actions here furthermore enabled his fellow Bataillonen on the left to continue their own attack and likewise reach their attack objective.

Marzluf continued to demonstrate his determination in subsequent operations, never hesitating to continue his duties even when under tremendous hostile fire from all weapons. Marzluf is completely worthy of this high award for bravery. He fell on the 03.06.1944 whilst leading his Panzergrenadiers against the enemy bridgehead at Stanca, after he had managed to wrest control of the dam located 1.6 km southwest of Stanca in an impressive display of aggressiveness."

Awarded posthumously.