Kostka, Franz

Date of birth:: October 7th, 1919 (Streitkirch-Ratibor/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:: January 1945 (Lazarett 529 in Wloclawek, Poland)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Finally reached the rank of Unteroffizier.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Stoßtruppführer, 6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 399, 170. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: May 10th, 1943

The following newspaper article (dated 21.05.1943) describes why Kostka received the Knight’s Cross…

“During the fighting near Leningrad Obergefreiter Kostka formed a resistance nest with 2 comrades, and from this position he prevented a further advance by the Soviets.”

This action took place around Ssablino at the end of February 1943. Here the Soviets managed to achieve a penetration about 2 km deep, and constantly poured reinforcements into this. The Germans were eventually able to contain the bridgehead in a large part thanks to the efforts of Obergefreiter Kostka. It is stated elsewhere that he fought as a sniper from a tree, and in this role he was able to achieve notable success in the difficult terrain.