Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 20th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 20th, 1943

in silver

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, 7. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich", 6. SS-Panzer-Armee, Heeresgruppe, Oberbefehlshaber "West"

Awarded on:

January 25th, 1945

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

“On the 24.12.1944 the Abteilung received the order to clear open the crossroads at Baraque de Fraiture after two attempts by the Regiment SS-‘DF’ (with its II. and III. Bataillonen) had failed.

The enemy, who wished to withdraw considerable forces via the crossroads and the road to the north of it, were defending the place obstinately with tanks and infantry. It was later determined that the force here consisted of at least a battalion of infantry with heavy weapons as well as about 25-30 tanks.

The attack, which was ordered to commence immediately and had to be carried out on the same day, promised considerable difficulties as the Panzers could only approach the crossroads via two roads that led to it. Leaving the road was impracticable given the extremely thick and boggy forest. Only in the right sector and immediately before the crossroads was it possible for the Panzers to operate off the road. As such the attack, following artillery preparation, could only gain ground slowly. Both on the left and right approach routes the lead Panzer was knocked out, and the attack of the infantry bogged down under strong enemy defensive fire. The infantry sustained heavy casualties from artillery and mortars, and also from the blind fire by US tanks into the forest.

In this crisis situation, one in which the failure of the attack seemed certain, SS-Obersturmführer Gresiak made the decision to drive past the knocked out Panzers and develop the attack with his Kompanie in the small area suitable for tanks to the right of the road with his Kompanie.

Personally driving ahead of his Kompanie, and directing his Züge with clear radio orders, he attacked the enemy. A tank battle took place, and over the course of this the Kompanie destroyed the following…

17 AFVs (including 8 Shermans)
1 armoured car
22 trucks
11 jeeps

The Kompanie also captured…

2 armoured cars
2 jeeps
100 crates of tank and anti-tank gun ammunition

The enemy infantry in battalion strength were thrown back. They left 20-30 dead behind, and 100 prisoners fell into our hands.

The crossroads was now firmly in our control.

Through this deed, which SS-Obersturmführer Gresiak brought about with his independent initiative and inspiring personal bravery, he secured an extremely valuable tactical victory for the Division, namely the opening of the crossroads at Baraque de Fraiture.”

Horst Gresiak himself gave the following details about this engagement: He had 8 Panzer IVs, the attack took place in the evening hours at 18:00, the tank vs tank battle took place at ranges of about 100 metres, Kompanie losses were 2 Panzers plus 3 heavily and 2 lightly wounded men.