Weber, Franz (Jäger-Regiment 28)

Date of birth:: November 30th, 1921 (Ober-Futok/Neusatz, Austria-Hungary)
Date of death:: July 28th, 2014 (Munich/Bayern, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: 8. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 28, 8. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 28th, 1944

Around the beginning of October 1944, the 8./Jäger Regiment 28 received the order to recapture the Hill 1587 (which had recently been taken by the Soviets) in order to reopen the Rodna Pass Road, an important German supply route.

As the company approached along the relatively featureless terrain, it came under violent MG and mortar fire which stalled the attack. In the midst of this situation, Obergefreite Weber and his number 2 machinegunner decided to find a suitable position to eliminate the opposing Soviet HMG fire. They found one, a small knoll about 40 meters from the enemy position. While his machinegunner suppressed the enemy from this position, Weber moved up and eliminated the enemy machine gun next with hand grenades. They then proceeded to eliminate the second Soviet HMG in the same way, however in the process Weber suffered injuries to his eye as well as a brain contusion.

Nevertheless the elimination of these enemy positions enabled the German attack to proceed, resulting in the recapture of Hill 1587 without further difficulties. For his decisive actions in this battle Weber was awarded the Iron Cross First Class, and shortly afterwards the Knight's Cross.