Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 3. / Genadier-Regiment 89 / 12.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

January 15th, 1943

In November 1942 the Grenadier-Regiment 39 was deployed to the western edge of the Demyansk salient to defend the road to Staraya Russa. Here, near Zemena, the Soviets began a major attack on the 23.12.1942 to get to this important road. On this day Unteroffizier Kreuzer and his Zug (composed of around 25 men) were sent to a new battle sector in the neighbouring division. These handful of Grenadiers then defended against far superior Soviet attacks for days.

Until being relieved on the evening of the 27.12.1942, by which time the Zug was reduced to just Kreuzer and two comrades, the brave Unteroffizier had destroyed an attacking T-34 with hand grenades and succeeded in holding the position against multiple Soviet attacks that were launched by day and night from company to battalion strength. He would then be committed in such battles up until the 10.01.1943. His determined and tenacious defensive aptitude enabled him to make crucial contributions to the crushing of all Soviet breakthrough attempts during this time.

For his actions here Kreuzer would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.