- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
- Unit:
- Chef, 1. Schwadron, SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11 'Hermann von Salza', 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"
- Awarded on:
- February 28th, 1945
Rott’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…
“On the 25.01.1945, the third day of the Fourth Battle of Courland, SS-Obersturmführer Rott distinguished himself through personal bravery and bold initiative.
At 09:00 the enemy attacked Stalgi from the area southwest of Purmsati with strong forces. At the time Rott had 5 AFVs under his command, 2 of his own and 3 Sturmgeschütze on loan from the Wehrmacht. He constructed a fire-front near Stalgi and support the firefight of the infantry. As our infantry were forced to retreat in the face of the strong enemy attack, Rott jumped out of his Sturmgeschütz. He collected the fleeing Grenadiers and personally led them to a new defensive line on the hill where his Sturmgeschütz was. Although 4 Sturmgeschütze were no longer operational at this time, Rott let them stay in the forward line to give the Grenadiers a morale boost.
During the moment of the infantry’s retreat Rott clearly realized that the intended on a breakthrough towards Adini and the crossings over the Vartava river. Without the active intervention of Rott, the enemy would have pulled off this breakthrough. For his personal bravery and self-reliant initiative, which was of far-reaching tactical importance, Rott appears to be worthy of wearing the Knight’s Cross.”
Awarded posthumously.