Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1940

in bronze

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Stabskompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12. Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 12th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie (gep.), Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12. Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

December 27th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie (gep.), Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12. Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1945

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

“On the 21.12.1944, the start of the Third Battle of Courland, the enemy penetrated the frontline south of Frauenburg. The I.(gp)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25 was dispatched to eliminate the penetration.

The Bataillon attacked without waiting for the still en-route friendly Panzers and heavy weapons. It was possible for the unit to eject the enemy out of Jaunserzi, Brammani and Laugali, however Gergali and the patch of forest located south of the village became heavily occupied with swiftly brought-up enemy tanks and anti-tank guns.

Oberleutnant Belz’s Kompanie was the first to make a move against Gergali. He [Belz] recognized both the enemy’s point of main effort as well as the necessity of quickly crushing the hostile intentions.

Acting on his own initiative, Belz decided to attack without either waiting for the other Kompanien or reassembling his own. His aim was to seize Gergali and force a breakthrough towards the south through the patch of forest.

Belz attacked Gergali while personally leading at the head of a Zug that had been reinforced by two cannon-armed SPWs. The enemy troops in the village were ejected, and he immediately pivoted southwards against the forest. Here he and his men began taking heavy fire from enemy tanks and anti-tank guns.

However he pressed the assault without regard for his own safety (he stood upright in his SPW), and in doing so he gave his men a true model of a brave officer. Belz attacked and ultimately broke through the forested area with just 3 SPWs and 2 cannon-armed SPWs. In the process the enemy lost 3 tanks along with multiple trucks, anti-tank guns and heavy machine-guns.

The enemy thus lost the forested area (which they had intended to use as a rallying point for additional attacks) along with the commanding homestead of Gergali. This was accomplished swiftly and with minor friendly losses. With this completed it was possible to continue the friendly attack towards the south and create a new defensive line. Such an outcome would not have been possible without the initiative and outstanding bravery of Oberleutnant Belz.

Oberleutnant Belz himself was badly wounded during this battle.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945