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Dünser, Lothar

Date of birth:
April 22nd, 1918 (Bludenz/Vorarlberg, Austria)
Date of death:
August 14th, 1943 (Rogan/Kharkov Oblast, Ukraine)
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

FLAK-Batteriechef

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 26th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 5th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1941
Flakkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 1st, 1942

In silver
Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 10th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 11th, 1942
Ordinul Coroana Romaniei
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
2. Batterie, I. Abteilung, Flak-Regiment 38, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 20th, 1943
Luftwaffe Ehrenschale für hervorragende Kampfleistungen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 8. Batterie, II. Abteilung, Flak-Regiment 38 (mot), Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
August 26th, 1943
Oberleutnant Dünser achieved a number of actions that led him to being awarded the Knight’s Cross. On the 20.12.1942 he and 11 other men captured the general staff of a Soviet tank army. Shortly afterwards, on the 10.01.1943, he launched a surprise thrust against a Soviet battery that eliminated both its cannons and crews.

But his greatest achievement came in the middle of August 1943. Here he and his Batterie repelled numerous overwhelming attacks in the area east of Kharkov, and in doing so prevented a Soviet breakthrough. Dünser would be heavily wounded during this fighting, and he later died of his injuries. However he would later be recognized for his brave actions in an appropriate fashion.

Awarded posthumously.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 28th, 1949

Posthumously awarded
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Sources

Photo