Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 12th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Zugführer, 7. Schwadron, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich", Heeresgruppe B

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1944

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

“On the 08.07.1944 the 7./SS-Pz.Rgt. ‘DR’ commenced an attack with four groups (each with 3 Panzer IVs and about 15-20 infantry) from the south to the north, with the goal of reaching and holding the line Giffroy—le Coeq—la Semellerie.

SS-Untersturmführer Reeb, who had already greatly distinguished himself in all previous battles through prudent leadership and personal bravery, received the order to take the group farthest to the right along the Tribehou—Neantis road from Lemenderie to la Semellerie. From there he would continue driving north until the three groups on the left had linked up with him.

Just after his group commenced his advance SS-Untersturmführer Reeb encountered anti-tank guns and strong infantry forces. This resistance was soon crushed, with 2 anti-tank guns being destroyed.

After reaching his attack objective at 08:00 Reeb made the independent decision to try and make contact with the three hard-pressed groups further on the left. Leaving behind a Panzer IV and some infantry at the la Semellerie crossroads, he thrusted from the east into le Coeq, destroying 6 trucks/jeeps and seizing the enemy battalion aid station. Here he captured 2 officers and 80 men, as well as 3 ambulances and 5 jeeps. Leaving behind 2 doctors and several medics at this aid station, Reeb then thrusted from there further to the south against la Corbinarie, where his neighbouring group was engaged in heavy combat with a Pakfront.

North of la Corbinerie Reeb advanced against enemy tanks and destroyed 4 of them with his group (destroyed 2 personally). There he also eliminated 2 AA guns and 3 AT guns. His own tank was knocked out by a bazooka.

Although SS-Untersturmführer Reeb was lightly wounded, he returned with all his captured equipment and prisoners back to Semellerie via le Coeq. There he held his ordered positions against a repeatedly attacking foe.

On the 11.07.1944 SS-Untersturmführer Reeb was heavily wounded while defending against a strong enemy attack near Lemonderie.

Supplement:

With independent action, and deviating from his mission, Reeb went above and beyond his stated attack objective. Through his determined performance and personal bravery Reeb succeeded in restoring contact with the neighbouring groups and in doing so closed a frontline gap. The confusion that he brought to the enemy resulted in the enemy attack being smashed.”

Submitted on July 15th 1944.
Preliminary document and decoration on September 7th 1944 to Heeresgruppe B.