Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer, Stabskompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 448, 137. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 23rd, 1943

The Soviets launched an attack on the sector of the Grenadier-Regiment 448 west of Gomel with an overwhelming superiority in men and materiel, and were able to break into the positions of two German Kompanien. They immediately pushed in reinforcements and tried to thrust deeper into the rear of the German defenses. The state of things was thus quite grim for the Germans, and they were not helped by the creation of a further enemy break-in to the north. It became clear the Soviets would try and use their forces in both of the break-in areas to capture an important village behind the German lines while linking up their forces in the process.

However before they could do this the Pionierzug of the Regiment, under the command of Oberfeldwebel Reichold, managed to seal off the southern break-in. He then stormed into the mass of the Soviet soldiers with his SMG in hand, the rest of his platoon following in unison. They could not be stopped by the heavy but inaccurate enemy fire and the Soviets quickly pulled back, with Reichold and his troops in hot pursuit. They were able to eject the enemy in bitter close combat and threw the remaining enemy into a disorganized retreat.

By this action Reichold had managed to completely clear up the enemy break-in here, thus removing the danger to this sector of the frontline. In the process Reichold’s force had in inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy while suffering casualties of just one wounded man. In recognition of this deed Reichold would receive the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)