Geisberg, Wilhelm

Date of birth:: October 21st, 1919 (Unwürde/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:: April 22nd, 1945 (Neu-Petershain/Brandenburg, Germany)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Halbe
Plot: 10. Row: 32. Grave: 8335.
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef III. / Führer-Panzer-Regiment 1 / Führer-Begleit-Division
Awarded on:: April 14th, 1945

On the 26.03.1945 Oberleutnant Geisberg and his 3./Pz.Rgt. FBD occupied the important Hill 305, just to the west of Paulinenhof. Reconnaissance reported an enemy tank assembly of over 30 vehicles in the area. On his own initiative, Geisberg decided to maintain control of the hill despite the constant enemy armoured attacks and bombardments from artillery/aircraft.

Ultimately Geisberg and his Panzers managed to hold their ground until the 29.03.1945. All enemy armoured thrusts were repelled, and in total 27 hostile tanks were destroyed during the Kompanie’s defense of the hill. Oberleutnant Geisberg and his crew personally accounted for 6. All of this was achieved without any friendly Panzer losses.

In recognition of this feat Oberleutnant Geisberg would receive the Knight’s Cross, as well as the nickname “T-34 Willi” from his men.