Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)

Awarded on:

March 22nd, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)

Awarded on:

May 5th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer, II. Bataillon, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 "General Seyffardt", 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division « Nederland »

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Standarten-Oberjunker

Unit:

Führer, 1. Kompanie, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 "De Ruyter", 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division « Nederland », III.(germ.) SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

November 26th, 1944

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

“SS-Standarten-Oberjunker Schluifelder and his 1./SS-Freiw.Pz.Gren.Rgt. 49 were placed in defense of the sector north of Hill 36.5, near Ozoli.

On the 29.10.1944 the Bolsheviks attacked south of the hill and achieved a penetration along the Korps boundary. During the course of the containment attempts and the defense against a strong attack that took place against the hill immediately afterwards, 2. Kompanie (which defended the hill) was almost wiped out. Its remnants retreated after the Kompanie commander as well as all Zug and Gruppe leaders became casualties.

SS-Standarten-Oberjunker Schluifelder recognized the situation and, having assembled a force consisting of his Kompanie reserve and other hastily assembled troops, he launched an attack against the vastly superior foe. Fighting at the head of his 18 men, he was able to eject the enemy from the position on the hill and recapture it after a hard close-quarter battle. As a result of the weak forces in this area the enemy succeeded in getting into our trenches several times. However Schluifelder repeatedly launched his own counterthrusts, which always threw the enemy back while inflicting high losses.

Even though he himself was badly wounded by a shot to the shoulder, he remained with his men and inspired them with his outstanding personal bravery. Only when he finally fell unconscious after a long time due to his injuries did he leave the position as ordered once a replacement had arrived.

Through his decisiveness and outstanding personal bravery, SS-Standarten-Oberjunker Schluifelder managed to hold Hill 36.5 (of great importance for the whole local area) and consequently prevent a breakthrough past our lines.”