TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Plapper, Albert (Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Reg.2)

Date of birth:
April 13th, 1926 (Lutter/Thuringia, Germany)
Date of death:
January 28th, 1945 (Arnsfelde/Westprussia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Albert Plapper reached the rank of Oberfeldwebel.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Awarded on:
October 1944
destroyed five Russian tanks using a Panzerschreck
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:
Gruppenführer, 4. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 "Hermann Göring"
Awarded on:
November 30th, 1944
Gefreiter Plapper was serving with the Fallschirm-Panzer-Division "HG" when it fought in East Prussia in October 1944. At the time he was a squad leader in the division's second Panzergrenadier regiment. During a large Soviet assault in his sector an MG crew was knocked out by enemy fire, and Plapper took over the weapon and repelled the attack. The Russians later renewed their attack, this time with armour support. Plapper counterattacked their open flank with five men, firing his MG from the hip, however 5 additional Russian tanks threatened to break through his positions nonetheless. Using a Panzerschreck Plapper destroyed one of these tanks and using his MG to engage the remaining enemy infantry finally brought the attack to a halt. For his decisive role in preventing a Russian breakthrough, Plapper was awarded the Knight's Cross later that year.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photos