Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 23rd, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer 4. / Panzer-Regiment 15 / 11.Panzer-Division / Panzergruppe 1 / Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1941

Brackel’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Oberleutnant Freiherr von Brackel and his Kompanie have destroyed the following during the Russian campaign:

106 enemy tanks, 21 artillery pieces, 10 armoured cars and 18 anti-tank guns.

41 tanks of this total were destroyed in a single 24 hour period. Furthermore, the Kompanie surprised and destroyed a group of 10 ready-to fly airplanes on an airfield and shot down 1 aircraft out of the sky. These incredible successes alone justify the recommendation for the award of the Knight’s Cross for the commander of this Panzer-Kompanie.

The combat in which the aforementioned 41 tanks were destroyed is summarized as follows:

An attack from Berditschew in the direction of Rajgorodek was planned for the 13.07.1941, with its aim being to establish contact between the 11. Panzer-Division and the 60. Infanterie-Division (mot). On the evening before this day Oberleutnant Freiherr von Brackel and his Kompanie conducted an armed reconnaissance towards the southwest. A group of 18 enemy tanks repeatedly blocked the advance route, however they were all eventually destroyed through Oberleutnant Freiherr von Brackel’s skillful employment of his own Züge and individual Panzers. This enabled important reconnaissance results to be obtained regarding the enemy situation and the composition of the terrain.

During the thrust towards Rajgorodek on the following morning (13.07.1941) Brackel’s Kompanie was amongst the lead attacking units, and its ultimate mission was to thrust through the 10 km deep enemy zone and thereby establish contact with the 60. Infanterie-Division (mot).

Just as in all other such attacks, Oberleutnant Freiherr von Brackel placed himself at the point of his Kompanie, leading it forwards in a tactically sound and aggressive attack. He personally attacked and ruthlessly destroyed any emergent enemy tanks along the way.

This example inspired the entire Kompanie forwards in a magnificent display of battlefield courage. 10 kilometres worth of heavily occupied enemy territory was smashed through in order to complete the mission.

An attack by two infantry Bataillone had bogged down before the enemy superiority, however the Kompanie helped their attack get back into motion before moving on with its own armoured attack. The Panzer-Kompanie fought its way forwards kilometre by kilometre, always following its relentlessly advancing command Panzer.

Two Züge that Oberleutnant Freiherr von Brackel had dispatched for reconnaissance reported that 15 enemy tanks were preparing for an attack along the road from Rajgorodek to Berditschew. Oberleutnant von Brackel immediately pivoted his own attack in this direction and destroyed 3 of the enemy tanks. The remainder fled. However, through skillful employment of the Züge, the moving and stationary enemy tanks were discovered and destroyed from all sides. The enemy laid down a curtain of blocking fire by anti-tank guns and artillery into the path of the Kompanie from positions in Protyhorka. Oberleutnant von Brackel and his Kompanie stormed forwards into the enemy. His vehicle received 2 direct artillery hits from large calibre guns, the running gear and tracks were heavily damaged. However, despite being in the middle of artillery fire, the damage was fixed following a lengthy repair effort, and he continued to lead the attack forwards. Throughout all this time 23 enemy tanks were destroyed, and contact was established with the 60. Infanterie-Division (mot) as per orders.

This success was of great importance for the entire Korps, and it was solely due to the personal courage and readiness for duty demonstrated by Oberleutnant Freiherr von Brackel, who combined skillful leadership of his Kompanie with unstoppable attacking power.”

Submitted on August 17th 1941.
Preliminary document and decoration on 25th August 1941.