Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 31st, 1938

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef 3. Kompanie, Pionier-Bataillon 33, 15. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 13th, 1940

The following press excerpt (dated 12.06.1941) describes why Cirener was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant Cirener earned the Knight’s Cross in the wake of the great battle in France, as the victorious German armies plunged southwards. The Loire river was crossed. However on the 19.06.1940 the Vorausabteilung of a Division came up against a new obstacle when it reached the Cher river at a point south of Orleans. The important bridge at Selles-sur-Cher was occupied by the French, who had 2 fighting vehicles and 4 cannons in positions on both sides of the bridge. At the time Oberleutnant Cirener, Kompanie commander in a Pionier-Bataillon, was among the lead units of the Vorausabteilung. Acting swiftly, Oberleutnant CIrener dashed forth with his 2-cm Flak gun, keeping the enemy guns in check as he did so. Once on the other side he brandished his pistol at the enemy battery commander and forced him to immediately surrender. By this ruthless action he managed to bluff the entire enemy garrison and take control of the bridge in an undamaged state.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)