Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 27th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 7th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, II. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking", 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 12th, 1943

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

“On the 21.07.1943 the I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 was deployed as a ready reserve for the Division in Wel.-Kamyschewacha. On this day the Bataillon ‘Narva’ was engaged in heavy defensive combat against violent Russian attacks in the area north of Andrejewka.

At 15:30 the Division ordered the 2. (light) Pz.-Komp. (consisting of 7 Panzer III longs, 4 Panzer III 7.5 cm shorts and 2 Panzer IV 7.5 cm longs) to begin marching towards Andrejewka. At this time the Btl. “Narva’ was again locked in combat with a strong tank-supported Russian attack, and as such the Kompanie was required to support the Bataillon in this fight. However at this time the 2. Kompanie was at a severe disadvantage due to only having 2 long-barrelled Panzer IVs. To help remedy this a Zug from the 3. (medium) Panzer-Kompanie under the command of SS-Oberscharführer Bauer was also sent towards Andrejewka in order to reinforce 2. Kompanie with its own 4 long-barrelled Panzer IVs.

Oberscharführer Bauer attempted to establish radio contact with the commander of 2. Kompanie while on the march to Andrejewka, however these efforts ultimately came to naught.

When SS-Oberscharführer Bauer reached Andrejewka (at the time under strong artillery fire) with his Zug he spotted the 2. Kompanie along the road leading east out of Andrejewka. It’s lead elements were located adjacent to the fruit plantation just to the northeast of the village. SS-Oberscharführer Bauer moved towards the houses in the eastern part of Andrejewka in order to personally report to the commander of 2. Kompanie with his men.

At the same time an enemy armoured group appeared on the high ground to the west of Point 188.8. This force had broken through the friendly infantry and was now advancing towards Andrejewka. 2. Kompanie immediately commenced a counterattack against these broken-through enemy tanks before SS-Oberscharführer Bauer had a chance to make contact with the unit. SS-Oberscharführer Bauer therefore had no orders from 2. Kompanie’s commander and had to act independently.

SS-Oberscharführer Bauer immediately perceived the favourable situation of his Zug. He decided on his own initiative to not follow behind the 2. Kompanie. Instead he led his Zug into the northern part of Andrejewka and took it past the other fruit plantation to the north of Andrejewka. Personally driving at the head of his Zug, he launched an attack into the flank of the broken-through enemy tank formation that was presently engaged in a heavy firefight with 2. Kompanie.

In the one-and-a-half hour tank battle that followed SS-Oberscharführer Bauer fought at the head of his Zug while inspiring his men the entire time. Within this time period the Zug destroyed 13 enemy tanks, a total which included 11 T-34s, 1 Churchill Mark IV and a T-70. It is likely that SS-Oberscharführer Bauer’s Zug destroyed/damaged even more tanks than this, however in the confusion of the fighting it was impossible to affirmatively confirm this.

During this armoured engagement a total of 27 tanks were destroyed altogether by 2. Kompanie and SS-Oberscharführer Bauer’s Zug. SS-Oberscharführer Bauer and his Zug therefore had an outstanding share in the crushing of this enemy armoured thrust that had already advanced deep into our rear area.

SS-Oberscharführer Bauer managed to pull off this success with only 4 Panzer IVs and without any friendly losses. Due to this, as well as the outstanding initiative and devotion to duty he displayed here, it appears that he is worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Submitted on September 13th 1943.
Preliminary document dated on September 21st 1943.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

in silver

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942