Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

January 19th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon, Luftwaffenkommando Don, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

April 3rd, 1943

In January 1943 the Germans conducted an aerial evacuation of the garrison of Kantemirowka, which had been encircled on the southern sector of the Eastern front. However as more and more men were flown out the perimeter continued to shrink, and when the last Ju-52 arrived it was necessary to still have some men cover the boarding of the aircraft.

Leutnant Felix Held, a Zugführer, volunteered to carry out this task with 30 men. He understood that in doing so he forsook himself to the mercy of the Soviets, yet nonetheless decided to proceed. As the last German machine left the town Held and his men were overrun. Since that day, the 19.01.1943, Leutnant Held was reported as missing and is presumed to have been killed the same day.

For this heroic self-sacrifice, befitting of his name, he would be decorated with the Iron Cross First Class on the same day and later with the Knight’s Cross soon afterwards.