Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

3. Kompanie, Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 14, 14. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 12th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 14, 14. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

April 11th, 1944

The following press article describes why Drechsler was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Feldwebel Drechsler from Zwickau captures a Soviet strongpoint with four men:

Southeast of Vitebsk a Saxonian divisional Füsilier-Bataillon was dispatched to eliminate a Soviet penetration and capture several strongpoints in their main defensive area. Among the soldiers present in this unit was Feldwebel Drechsler, who commanded a Zug. However the attack only gained ground slowly amidst the fierce close combat, which saw the use of flamethrowers and hand grenades. Consequently, by the time dusk fell the attempts to crack the last and yet most important strongpoint had to be called off. However during the evening Feldwebel Drechsler (a distinguished veteran who was decorated with the German Cross in Gold last March) was sent in with a patrol of 5 men to probe this heavily occupied strongpoint.

As the Grenadiers were approaching the Bolsheviks, he observed how an enemy sergeant major was apparently handing out food to his comrades in a rather carefree fashion. The courageous Feldwebel immediately decided to take advantage of this favourable opportunity and overpower the larger Soviet force in a surprise attack. He sent one man back to bring up reinforcements, and thereafter let the grenades do their work. As the last grenade detonated he and his four Grenadiers stormed against the Reds with a Hurra. Any opposition was swiftly cut down in furious close combat. The trenches were rolled up and several prisoners were taken, including the Bolshevik who was handing out food. He was in fact a sergeant major, and was in possession of some very valuable documents. Feldwebel Drechsler went on to hold the strongpoint against every enemy counterthrust until reinforcements arrived. The daring Feldwebel had spared the Bataillon much blood through his bold surprise attack, and in doing so denied the Soviets a base from which to launch future attacks. For this action he was awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross by the Führer.”