• Panzerjäger Tiger Ausf. B

Date of birth:

May 27th, 1922 (Zweibrücken/Palatinate, Germany)

Date of death:

January 24th, 2015

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

In service from April 1st 1940.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

10. Kompanie, III. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 21, 20. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

November 23rd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Zugführer 2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

May 4th, 1944

During the time period 17.-22.03.1944 Leutnant Carius led 3 Tiger tanks in a series of engagements with Soviet armour near the village of Lembitu (west of Narva). Within 3 days he and his 3 Tigers destroyed 28 tanks, 4 assault guns and 17 artillery pieces. He would be subsequently awarded the Knight’s Cross for the local successes he achieved in this capacity.

3066th Award.
Sublitted on April 26th 1944.
Preliminary document and decoration on May 10th 1944 to Heeresgruppe Nord.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

July 15th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer 2. / schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 / II.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

July 27th, 1944

On the 22.07.1944 Leutnant Carius led a bold attack into the village of Malinava (northeast of Dünaburg) with only himself and his wingman Albert Kerscher. He and his two Tigers charged in Malinava and engaged the force of 17 Soviet tanks positioned there. Of these Carius destroyed 10, Kerscher 4 and a nearby force of Sturmgeschütze 3. Among this tally of destroyed armour were several IS-2 heavy tanks. By executing this bold operation, accomplished with no friendly losses, Leutnant Carius prevented the continuation of the Soviet breakthrough towards Dünaburg and therefore enabled a friendly defensive front to be built. He would be awarded the Oakleaves in recognition of this feat.

535st Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

September 11th, 1944

Awarded in accordance with his on July 8th 1941, December 9th 1942, December 2nd 1943, April 20th 1944 and July 24th 1944 received wounds.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

2. / schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 512

Awarded on:

April 21st, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Corporal)

Unit:

1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 21, 20. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 2nd, 1941

Awarded for a wound inflicted on the 8th of July 1941.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

August 20th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Heer

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1943

Awarded for 3 wounds inflicted on the 8th of july 1941, 10th of December 1942 and the 2nd of December 1943.

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
• - CARIUS, O, Tigers in the mud, Stackpole Military History Series, 1992.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
  - WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 2004.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
  - Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
  - Federl, C., Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, Germany, 2000
  - Achtungpanzer.com
  - Onderzoek via Panzer-Archiv Forum