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Roßmann, Emil

Date of birth:
April 23rd, 1920 (Maeken/Eastprussia, Germany)
Date of death:
January 20th, 2003 (Bad Dürrheim/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
1939: Soldat;
1943: Leutnant der Rederve;
1945: Oberleutnant der Reserve.

Career:
?: Bankkaufman Kreissparkasse, Preußisch Holland;
April 1st, 1939: Reichsarbeitsdienst;
?: 1. / Panzer-Regiment 10;
?: 1. / Panzer-Regiment 26;
?: Führer, 2. / Panzer-Regiment 26;
?: Panzer-Regiment "Kurmark";
?: Abteilungsleiter Kraftfahrzeugprüfstelle;
1949: Abteilungsleiter, Schwenninger Volksbank;
1956: Vorstandsmitglied;
1964: Bankdirektor.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 26, 26. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 10th, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen II Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 26, 26. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
September 16th, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen III Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, 2. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 26, 26. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 23rd, 1944
On 06.10.1944 Leutnant Roßmann and his Kompanie of six Panthers were ordered to cover the retreat of Kampfgruppe Langkeit as it pulled out of the Tryskiai area back to Windau. When the Soviets engaged Roßmann with their hard-pressing forces, Roßmann destroyed 3 tanks before a hit from a Soviet T-34 knocked out his tank’s radio. That night he covered the retreat of the rest of his Kompanie all on his own. In the morning however he discovered that Soviet troops had already bypassed him and established themselves between him and the rest of the Kampfgruppe. Enemy tanks were preparing to attack.

Roßmann decided to break out. His first move was to strike the enemy tank assembly area in order to destroy the most dangerous foe. In just a few minutes he destroyed 6 T-34s and 8 AT guns, and put the remaining enemy to flight. As he proceeded back to the Kampfgruppe he destroyed a further 13 enemy AT guns and a supply column before linking up with his own troops successfully.

For his success during this dangerous situation, accomplished all on his own, Roßmann received the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment 26, 26. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 24th, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen IV Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment "Kurmark", Panzergrenadier-Division "Kurmark", Heer
Awarded on:
March 27th, 1945

Date according to award document.
Panzerkampfabzeichen IV Stufe

Sources

Photo