Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve zur Verwendung

Unit:

Chef 1./Bau-Pionier-Bataillon 132

Awarded on:

March 4th, 1942

During the fighting in the Demyansk pocket in early 1943 the Soviets overran the forward German line near the strongpoint of Zemena. Hauptmann Christel, the village commander, used his Bau-Kompanie and an assortment of other logistics troops to seal off the breach and hold the village. He and his men continued to hold out in the village until the 03.03.1942, when Christel himself was killed by a shot to the heart. However his efforts ensured that this Soviet attack in the sector of the 290. Infanterie-Division came to naught, and he was therefore awarded the Knight’s Cross following his death.