Kecht, Franz Joseph "Frank" (Grenadier-Reg. 70)
- Date of birth:
- April 25th, 1914 (Kleeham, Chieming, Traunstein, Bavaria, Germany)
- Date of death:
- October 25th, 1943 (Wessoloje, Melitopol, Ukraine, Soviet Union)
- Buried on:
- German War Cemetery Kirovohrad
Grave: UNK. - Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Dienstgrad: Hauptmann
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Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
- Unit:
- Führer, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 70, 111. Infanterie-Division
- Awarded on:
- October 18th, 1943
“Tank penetrations took place alongside heavy fighting, and on this day both Hill 175.7 and Alexejewka also changed possession several times. However they remained in friendly hands by day’s end. During the major defensive combat the III./Grenadier-Regiment 70 outstandingly distinguished itself as it fought on the northern front of the 111. Infanterie-Division. During a difficult attack, and in spite of strong enemy action, the 150 man strong Bataillon managed to recapture the villages of Kamyschewache and Alexejewka as well as Hill 175.5 on the 19.08.1943. The unit went on to hold this hill throughout the 20.-21.08.1943 against strong enemy attacks that had the support of numerous tanks. The hill was lost repeatedly during the course of the fluid combat, however the brave Bataillon was repeatedly able to reconquer the decisive hill thanks to the initiative and bold counterthrusts of its energetic commander, Oberleutnant Kecht. Oberleutnant Kecht has been wounded a total of five times during the defensive combat along the Mius, most recently on the 21.08.1943.”
The actions described here would later lead to Kecht being awarded the Knight’s Cross.
Sources
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