Pörschmann, Johannes

Date of birth:: February 3rd, 1915 (Panschwitz/Kamenz/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:: March 13th, 1945 (Ligute/Lithuanian SSR, USSR)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 13, 14. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: March 11th, 1945

On the 24.01.1945 the Soviets launched a major attack against the the SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division “Nordland” on both sides of the town of Preekuln. They managed to achieve a deep penetration that the reserve 14. Panzer-Division was ordered to crush. The Division launched their counterattack on the next day. In bitter fighting, and in spite of the bad weather and lack of artillery support, the Germans managed to recapture the ground lost the previous day while pushing back the Soviet forces in bitter close combat. On this day 63 Soviet tanks were destroyed in the Divisional sector, 11 by Panzerfausts.

During this battle the Pioniere of Hauptmann Pörschmann not only distinguished themselves in the infantry role (contributing heavily to the German victory while doing so_ but also managed to capture two operational Sherman tanks located in no-mans-land during a pause in the fighting. These were brought back to friendly lines intact. Pörschmann would receive the Knight’s Cross for his Bataillon’s success on this day.