- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 9 "Hohenstaufen"
- Awarded on:
- June 4th, 1944
Meyer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…
“Meyer and his Panzer-Regiment fought through several echeloned enemy Pakfronts and artillery positions over the course of five days of uninterrupted armoured combat. After bitter house-to-house combat they took the villages of Chodaczkow & Wielki, and thereafter attacked further along the road in a northeasterly direction towards Tarnopol.
After he had captured a hill (one which was particularly bitterly defended by Bolshevik tanks and anti-tank guns) on his own initiative by attacking it from the rear, Meyer and his troops linked up with elements of the Tarnopol garrison that had broken out to the west. Their relief was only made possible by Meyer’s thrust.
In total Meyer’s Panzer-Regiment destroyed or captured the following during these days of battle:
39 tanks
60 artillery pieces
158 anti-tank guns
22 anti-tank rifles
6 trucks
6 ammunition carriers
This success was made possible thanks to Meyer’s unsparing devotion to duty and bravery.”
To this was added a supplement by the II. SS-Panzer-Korps…
“The 9. SS-Pz.Div. was not attached to the Korps during the thrust to Tarnopol.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Meyer led an armoured group with 2 Grenadier-Bataillonen, 1 Panzer-Abteilung, 1 Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung. and 1 Panzer-Pionier-Kompanie. Meyer particularly distinguished himself during the last two major combat days despite the unfavourable weather and road conditions. In this time all radio communication was impossible and he only relied on his own decisions. His personal bravery meant that at least a part of the Tarnopol garrison could escape to safety. The captured enemy materiel has been confirmed by messages from the commanders.
This recommendation is thereby endorsed.”