Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1941

On the 20.05.1941 Genz’s Kompanie had the mission of eliminating a British 9.5 cm AA battery (with 4 guns and about 180 men) near Mournies, just to the SSW of Chania. However a change of course before the landing reduced the strength of Genz’s Kompanie (already just 90 men strong) by almost 25%. The enemy furthermore was stronger than anticipated, however was eventually overpowered by Genz and his men even so. The battery was stormed, the guns destroyed, and the surviving 12 men taken prisoner. The Kompanie then became encircled, and made their way through 6 km of enemy territory via Peribolia. Genz himself led the group as “Captain Miller, 5th Battery of Yorkshire Anti-Aircraft”, and was thereby able to deceive those British troops encountered.

For this, as well as distinguishing himself in the fighting on the following day, Genz would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.