Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 8. Batterie, II. Abteilung, Flak-Regiment 11, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1941

During the encirclement battle at Kiev the Soviets tried to break through against a weak position near Romny, right at the boundary between the German divisions attacking from the north and south. At this position was the II./Flak-Regiment 11 (mot) under the acting command of Oberleutnant Fahlbusch. The Abteilung’s 8.8 cm guns would be used to good effect however, and on the 22.09.1941 the Abteilung destroyed 20 tanks and 23 guns/mortars east of Kiev. Fahlbusch and his troops who go on to hold an important strongpoint for two days against attacks by strong Soviet forces, destroying 22 tanks, 10 guns and 65 MG nests in the process.

By his actions here Fahlbusch succeeded in stymying a dangerous Soviet armoured attack against German infantry forces in Keim. He would be awarded the Knight’s Cross in recognition of this feat.