Schwarzgruber, Rudolf (Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13)

Date of birth:: April 26th, 1919 (Jebing im Innviertel, Austria)
Date of death:: March 16th, 1998 (Jebing im Innviertel, Austria)
Nationality:: Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

April 20th, 1940: Schütze;
April 7th, 1944: Oberjäger d.R.;
March 14th, 1945: Unteroffizier d.R.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberjäger (Corporal)
Unit:: sMG-Führer, 10. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13, 4. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: April 30th, 1945

Here follows Schwarzgruber’s recommendation for the Honour Roll of the Army. It was subsequently also adapted as his Knight’s Cross recommendation…

“On the night of the 06./07.03.1945 the Bataillon was relieved of its positions 3 km SW of Lipnica (11 km north of Trstena, Slovakia). Shortly afterwards, on the morning of the 07.03.1945, the Russians managed to penetrate these positions and push forwards along the road towards Bobrow. The detached 7. and 8. Kompanie, already in Slanica, were immediately dispatched towards Bobrow to counterattack. Meanwhile the Russians managed to advance to just outside of the village. At the NE entrance to the village, Oberjäger Schwarzgruber (7. Kompanie) received the order to take up position with his HMG on Hill 638 in order to support the planned counterattack along the road. As he left the village (which was already under heavy enemy artillery fire), he received strong enemy small arms fire from the “Red House”. Nevertheless he continued forwards and upon reaching a hollow came across the firing positions of two 15-cm guns belonging to the 10.(s) Batterie/Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 94. The gun crews were already in combat with the advancing enemy, and two men were busy at each gun preparing explosive charges to prevent their capture. By now the Russians had approached to 80 m of the position.

Acting on his own initiative, Schwarzgruber sprang forward despite fierce enemy fire, and with his HMG was able to drive back the forward elements of the enemy. He then set up firing positions with his HMG on Hill 638, immediately opening fire on the enemy. Very heavy losses were inflicted, in part due to the good fields of fire from the hill. Despite return fire from mortars and anti-tank guns, Schwarzgruber was able to hold firm. When the enemy started to waver, Schwarzgruber personally led a counterattack with just two men from his MG squad which managed to drive off the remaining enemy forces.

The Russians ended up leaving 25 dead in front of Schwarzgruber’s position, with a further 50-60 wounded also being counted. The latter eventually disappeared in small groups.

Completely on his own, without neighbours to the left or right, and all the while under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, he succeeded in holding Hill 638 through his iron calm and determination. All further enemy attacks that day, launched in strengths of up to 200 men, were repulsed. Schwarzgruber, confident in his weapon and knowing the importance of his position, proved to be impossible to overcome.

When the 7. and 8. Kompanie finally launched their attack along the road in the late afternoon, Schwarzgruber supported them magnificently with flanking fire. The enemy had to give way, leaving behind numerous small arms as well as 2 anti-tank guns, 2 infantry guns, 2 heavy machine guns and several light machine guns. Thanks to the brave attitude of Schwarzgruber, the artillerymen in the hollow were also able to man their guns again and provide effective support.

The next morning, following fierce artillery preparation, the enemy attacked once again along the road. Due to his overwhelming superiority he was able to advance to just in front of Bobrow, but once again the attack bogged down in the same place. This was first and foremost due to the defensive fire provided by Schwarzgruber and his HMG, further demonstrating his steadfastness and iron calm. The counterattack that followed threw the Russians back to their starting positions. In the course of the fighting this day Schwarzgruber was able to knock out an enemy AT gun with his machine gun.

Through his deeds Schwarzgruber prevented two valuable 15-cm guns falling into the hands of the Russians, while also decisively contributing to the crushing of the enemy breakthrough attempt (one which could have been disastrous for the whole division had it succeeded). In addition, through his courage, steadfastness and toughness, Schwarzgruber showed himself to be a true example of German fighting spirit and living proof that even a few courageous men are capable of handling any situation, no matter how tough it may seem.”