Bergmann, Heinz
- Date of birth:
- June 19th, 1914 (Berlin/Prussia, Germany)
- Date of death:
- April 30th, 1997 (Ingolstadt/Bavaria, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
In service from November 1st 1935.
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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- May 25th, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- May 15th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
- Unit:
- Zugführer 4. / Panzer-Regiment 26 / Panzer-Division Großdeutschland / 3.Panzerarmee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
- Awarded on:
- November 26th, 1944
“Kösliner Receives the Knight’s Cross - Oberfeldwebel Bergmann destroys 19 tanks:
The Führer has awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Oberfeldwebel Bergmann. Oberfeldwebel Bergmann was born in Berlin on the 19.06.1914 and currently lives with his family in Köslin, Kleine Baustraße 35.
After a German Panzer Division had successfully captured Wilkowischken the Soviets tried to cut off and encircle these troops with the aid of fresh tank forces. The German leadership nonetheless decided to continue the friendly attack.
In order to secure the rear of the attacking Panzers, Oberfeldwebel Bergmann received orders to block a road with three Panzers. However he identified a hostile assemblage of 25 tanks, 2 battalions and 10 anti-tank guns that were located on the road. The Soviets immediately used the bulk of their infantry and armour to attack the weak position that Bergmann had to secure.
Bergmann destroyed 3 tanks during the first onrush. After this the enemy then tried to drive around this staunch defense. With great calm, and all on his own, Bergmann let the enemy tanks bypass him. He then launched a surprise drive through the ford of an anti-tank ditch and attacked the enemy from the rear. He overran 7 emplaced anti-tank guns in a bold drive and then, with 2 Panzers, he destroyed 16 Soviet tanks in quick succession. His performance here formed the foundation for the continued successful operations of the Division.”
Submitted on November 14th 1944.
Preliminary document dated on December 3rd 1944.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - TEGETHOFF, RALPH, Die Ritterkreuzträger des Panzerkorps Großdeutschland und seiner Schwesterverbände, DS- Vlg. o.J., Riesa, 1998.
- WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 2004.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
- Tegethoff R., Die RK-Träger des Panzerkorps GD
- Federl, C., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, Germany, 2000
Photo
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