Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Panzer-Regiment 35

Awarded on:

September 15th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Stabskompanie II. / Panzer-Regiment 35

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer Stabskompanie II. / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4. Panzer-Division / Armeegruppe "Guderian" / Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

August 30th, 1941

The following wartime excerpt describes why Oberfeldwebel Gabriel was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“During a thrust by his Abteilung to capture the bridges at Kritscheff, Oberfeldwebel Gabriel resolved to reconnoitre a battery that threatened the attackers’ flank on his own initiative. In the process he thrusted into strong enemy units that were still trying to flee across the river with his Panzer Zug, prevented the crossing of any additional enemy forces and eliminated major hostile elements. By this he prevented the reinforcing of enemy positions on the opposite riverbank, which in turn enabled the Schützen units of his Division to create a bridgehead more swiftly and easily.”

Submitted on 25th August 1942.
Preliminary document on 30th August 1941 to Panzergruppe 2.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

3. / Panzer-Regiment 35

Awarded on:

January 30th, 1944

For wounds received on 16th September 1939, 26th July 1941, 28th June 1942 and 7th July 1943.