Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)

Unit:

RIchtschütze, 14. (Panzerjäger) Kompanie, III. Bataillon, 168. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

January 22nd, 1944

During the winter of 1943/44, the Soviets managed to penetrate the German lines along the road leading to Vinnitsa. In response a Pak 40 AT gun, with its gunner being Gefreiter Kuhnert, was deployed to the sector via an RSO light tractor. The gun was deployed, but only had 9 armour piercing rounds at hand (a resupply was on its way). When the first T-34 came into view Kuhnert already had to expend two rounds in order to completely destroy it. Then he counted 23 Soviet tanks advancing in a column, fortunately with their flank facing the gun.

After 4 hostile tanks had driven in front of him Kuhnert opened fire. With his remaining rounds he destroyed 6 more Soviet tanks. However he was now out of ammunition, and the resupply had still not arrived. The Soviet tanks now noticed Kuhnert and his gun and in turn began firing with HE rounds. Fortunately they couldn’t get any closer to the gun due to the snow and ice in between. The attacking infantry were engaged by a nearby MG. Suddenly however the Soviet tanks turned around and pulled back, followed by their infantry.

Kuhnert would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for halting this enemy advance under such difficult conditions.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)