Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

in silver

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 13th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, 6. Schwadron, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich", 4. Panzerarmee, Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

November 12th, 1943

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

“During the hard defensive battles southwest of Kharkov, and following the elimination of an enemy penetration near Korotitsch, the Korotitsch collective farm (1 km NW of the village) became the target of repeated mass Russian attacks. Their objective was to capture this collective farm, which had a commanding view of the Poltava-Kharkov road, and thereafter advance up the road towards Kharkov with tanks. Through this the crossing over the Merefa river near Guki (2 km west of Kharkov) would be blocked on its southern bank, and the retreat route for the bulk of the XI. Panzer-Korps would be severed.

The defense of this major sector near Kharkov against enemy attacks, which were supported by strong artillery and tank units, fell to the Tiger-Kompanie of the SS-Pz.Rgt. ‘Das Reich’ as well as a Bataillon of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Der Führer’ (the latter of which was in position at the collective farm).

On the 26.08.1943, following an hour-long artillery/mortar barrage, the enemy attacked the collective farm with about 60 tanks. Among these were a large number of new enemy assault guns that were being encountered for the first time, and whose combat capabilities were unknown. After a bitter battle the enemy succeeded in overrunning the German trenches with their tanks and pushing back our own Panzer forces that were to the south of the collective farm. Our infantry remained in their foxholes and soon engaged in tough combat with the following enemy infantry. However this fighting was made very difficult by a portion of enemy armour that had remained behind, suppressing our troops by driving over their trenches and with direct fire.

In this dangerous situation SS-Hauptsturmführer Kesten arrived, having followed the battle noises to the break-in position. Before the enemy attack had begun he had been instructed to take his Kompanie, consisting of 9 operational Panzer IVs, from its position with the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’ (north of Ljubotin) to Korotitsch. From here he was to prevent any possible enemy armoured breakthrough along the road to Kharkov. During the march Hauptsturmführer Kesten decided to take his Kompanie and investigate the heavy battle noises north of his designated route. Thus, going against his prior orders, he was able to engage the broken-in enemy due to a decision on his own initiative stemming from a correct appraisal of the situation.

Disregarding the far superior enemy assault guns, he attacked with his 9 Panzer IVs from the west in a flanking move against the broken-in enemy armoured forces. Through this bold attack and the destruction of several enemy tanks, the enemy became disordered and began to pull back (presumably due to the lingering impacts of their heavy losses the previous day). In a vicious tank battle Hauptsturmführer Kesten and his Panzers destroyed 24 enemy tanks in the first engagement, while losing only 2 of their own. Kesten himself knocked out 4 enemy tanks.

He then pursued the fleeing enemy, advancing far past the original German line and destroying another 5 enemy tanks with his Kompanie. The Tigers had meanwhile eliminated another 11 tanks. 3 new enemy assault guns were knocked out and then captured. The Kompanie inflicted particularly devastating damage on the enemy infantry, who were under the protection of their tanks just about to crush our own troops taking cover in their foxholes. During this armoured charge SS-Hauptsturmführer Kesten’s tank was knocked out and he was wounded, but he nonetheless remained with his men.

The bold decision and skillful actions of SS-Hauptsturmführer Kesten are responsible for preventing the enemy armoured breakthrough and recovering/consolidating the old German line.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Kesten first came to the Panzerwaffe early this year. In the hard fighting of this summer he has repeatedly distinguished himself during the numerous armoured skirmishes and full-scale battles. He proved himself in an outstanding way during the expansion of our break-in at Beressow-Lutschki (north of Belgorod), the thrust of the Division’s armoured group to the Psel river, the tank battles which led to the recapture of our old line at the Mius, and in the retreat movements from Kolomak to Poltava. Wherever the opportunity presented itself to engage the enemy, Kesten gave the utmost of himself and led his Kompanie to high achievements, always leading the way as an inspiring example.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Kesten is known throughout the Panzer-Regiment as an especially brave Kompanie commander. In 9 weeks his Kompanie has destroyed 150 enemy tanks. In every respect he is worthy of bearing the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Submitted on November 3rd 1943.
Preliminary document and decoratioon on November 17th 1943 to Pz.AOK 4.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)