Denninger, Rudolf

Date of birth:: January 3rd, 1911 (Rosenheim/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:: March 31st, 1945 (Ansbach/Mittelfranken, Germany)
Buried on:: German War Graves Koblenz
Plot: 24A. Row: K. Grave: 8.
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef 1. / Grenadier-Regiment 439 / 134. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: September 1st, 1943

On the 19.08.1943 Oberleutnant Denninger played a major role in repelling a Soviet breakthrough aimed at Dubrowka. After a heavy artillery barrage a Soviet force of tanks and infantry attacked the frontline of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 439, and they managed to penetrate this line with 10 tanks. However Denninger and his Kompanie, located in the centre of the breakthrough attempt, in turn were able to seal off this penetration. The Kompanie remnants held off the following Soviet infantry and eliminated T-34s in close combat, holding out long enough for counterattacks to stabilize the situation. Ultimately the Division was able to dispatch reinforcements that defeated the enemy attack once and for all, and Denninger himself was heavily involved in bringing about this success. Despite being wounded he personally led the counterthrust that ultimately won the battle in the late afternoon of that day.

Denninger later received the Knight’s Cross for this action, and the Division provided the following justification for this award…

“The decisive deed by Oberleutnant Denninger prevented the Russian breakthrough attempt that was intended to capture the single bridge over the Bolwa river, a decisive structure which was of pivotal importance for friendly resupply in the area. A total of 40 out of 52 attacking enemy tanks were destroyed in this battle.”