Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, SS-Pi.Btl.54

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 1. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54, 4. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade "Nederland", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1944

proposal by commander of SS-Pi.Btl. 54 SS-Hstuf Günter Wanhöfer the 05.08.1944 endorsed by SS-Brif Jürgen Wagner and confirmed by Felix Steiner :
“On 14.10.42 then SS-Hauptscharführer Ilgner was assigned with the 1st platoon of the 3rd/SS-Pi.Btl. 5 to support I./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. “Germania”. In the course of the attack to take possession of the height hard south-west of Malgobeck (Terek bridgehead), Ilgner's was assigned as a assault platoon. Ilgner led his platoon with courage, succeeding in capturing several enemy bunkers in close combat. By securing the bunker positions, the follwing infantry were to roll up the enemy's positions and occupy the heights.

During the fighting on the Kalmuck steppe the 3./SS-Pi.Btl. 5 was given the order to occupy and defend the villages of Stojanow - Kije. Ilgner's platoon was assigned to the right wing of the company. On 6.1.43 the enemy attacked the village with 28 tanks and strong infantry forces. The tanks rolled over the front line and laid heavy fire on the division's rear positions. Nevertheless the enemy infantry was repelled, and the main line of defence was held until nightfall. SS-Hauptscharführer Ilgner distinguished himself by his cold-bloodedness and bravery. With his exemplary soldierly attitude, his calmness and prudence he held his platoon together and defended his position. After the enemy succeeded in bypassing and encircling the company, the company fought its way under cover of darkness to the II/SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Germania", with SS-Hauptscharführer Ilgner's platoon covering the company's withdrawal.

On 28.2.43 the enemy succeeded in occupying the village of Kamenny. The SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Germania" had occupied the town of Metschetinskaja and was threatened by enemy units on the flank. The 1st/SS-Pi.Btl. 5 was assigned to attack the enemy in Kamenny, to take possession of the village and to defend it. For this purpose Ilgner's platoon from 1./SS-Pi.Btl. 5 was subordinated. After the reinforced 1./SS-Pi.Btl. 5 had repelled the enemy during close combat at night and taken possession of most of the town, the further attack was broken off on the orders of the division and the order to withdraw was given. The withdrawal action was protected by Ilgner's platoon, which held its position under heavy enemy pressure until vehicles were deployed and the company, including all wounded, could be withdrawn in an orderly fashion.

In the course of the attack of the SS-Pz.Div. "Wiking" on the Donez (February-March 1943) the 3./SS-Pi.Btl. 5 received the order on 1.3.43 to take the village of Protopovka, which was occupied by the enemy, and to block the road leading to the rollbahn of the 14th Pz.Div. with mines to protect against enemy tank attacks. Ilgner's platoon was the again the leading platoon for the attack. SS-Untersturmführer Ilgner fought his way through a balka to the dominant position held bythe enemy. From this high position the enemy was able to observe the rollbahn of the 14th Pz.Div. and to disrupt the division's supply traffic with anti-tank gun and mortar fire. After a hard battle SS-Ustuf Ilgner, who led his men with exemplary bravery, took possession of the high ground with his platoon. After taking possession of the height SS-Ustuf Ilgner and his platoon held the high for 36 hours against the strongest enemy attacks. Due to the exemplary efforts of SS-Ustuf Ilgner and his men, the enemy suffered heavy losses.

During the battles at the Narwa Strait, the enemy succeeded in achieving a penetration on 29.7.44 hard south of the Johvi-Narwa rollbahn. The SS-Pi.Btl. 54 was used to shield and secure the right flank of the SS-Frw.Pz.Gren.Brig. "Nederland" and commanded and occupied height 69.9. Units were sent by the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. "Nordland" to counterattack and regain the ground. Some of these counterattack reserves were cut off by heavy enemy fire. SS-Ostuf Ilgner recognised the situation immediately, proceeding on his own initiative, taking command of these scattered men and, by making skilful use of the land, led them in a counterattack. He motivated the men with him with his courage and bravery, and the enemy was thrown back suffering heavy losses. SS-Ostuf Ilgner played a large part in clearing up the breakthrough as a result of his decisiveness and bravery.”