Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

October 14th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

August 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

August 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Unit:

Führer, II. Bataillon, SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland", SS-Division 'Wiking'

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Awarded on:

November 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Awarded on:

November 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge", 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Nordland', III.(germanische) SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

March 12th, 1944

Stoffers' Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows...

"SS-Obersturrnbannführer Stoffers was assigned to cover our troops' retreat movements from out of the Jamburg bridgehead during the night of 31.01—01.02.1944; but the opponent managed to break into the left neighbour's location, as well as at the Kampfgruppe's right wing, and overran the blocking position. While it was possible to force back and stop the enemy at the right wing, strong enemy forces had managed to break in deeper at the left neighbour's location. Counterattacks undertaken by the left neighbor remained futile, so the opponent managed to swing around in a southeastern direction to push into Kampfgruppe Stoffers' rear, taking possession of the route at the same time.

Acting spontaneously, SS-Obersturmbannführer Stoffers gathered all elements of the regimental staff of "Norge" together with gathered stragglers and 8. Kompanie's 1. Infantry Gun Platoon to stop the enemy's breakthrough.

In cooperation with two assault guns SS-Obersturmbannführer Stoffers deployed against the attacking enemy's right flank on the road 500 metres west of the regimental command post. Then the ad-hoc combat group set out to counterattack. The enemy was attacked under the regimental commander's personal leadership. Those opposing forces that had already advanced to close quarters fighting were stopped through an energetic counterattack, and by direct short-range fire from the 1. Infantry Gun Platoon. The motorcycle platoon, operating at the stretch of forest east of the regimental command post, engaged the enemy at his flank so that, in short time, he could be thrown back and largely destroyed in a counterattack by our weak forces.

In the subsequent flank attack from the southwest undertaken by weak elements of the regiment's command section and two assault guns, SS-Obersturmbannführer Stoffers succeeded in completely throwing back or destroying the enemy forces following from the depths. Those elements of the left neighbour that had pulled back in a northwestern direction were swept forward by the successful counterattack, until contact with the left wing of Kampfgruppe Stoffers had been reestablished.

Through the total employment of all available reserves under the energetic leadership of its resolute regimental commander, the weak elements of our Kampfgruppe were rewarded with success. This act made it possible for those elements of our forces that still stood to the east to keep on retreating in a coordinated fashion, and it was the reason the route to Narva remained in our hands. This guaranteed an orderly occupation of the Narva bridgehead by the 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland" and the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nederland."

based on recommendation dated 15.02.1944 and signed by Div. Kdr. Fritz von Scholz