Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 139, 3. Gebirgs-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 20th, 1940

The following press article summarizes the action near Narvik in the spring of 1940 that led to the awarding of the Knight's Cross for Major Stautner...

"Major Stautner conducted the successful attack of Kompanie Schönbeck following detailed personal reconnaissance of his own. The resulting repulse of enemy forces in this area was of great importance to the whole Kampfgruppe. The resumption of the enemy attack was delayed for days, buying Major Stautner's Bataillon valuable time to set up a strong defense. Ultimately the enemy did not dare to try and make any more major attacks west of Elvenes, where enemy landings were always to be expected."

In this battle Stautner and his Bataillon were initially thrown back by a Norwegian battalion on the 24.04.1940, being driven east of the town of Elvenes. The Norwegian battalion commander decided to let his men rest for the night, and then resume the attack at 05:30 the next day.

However Stautner would give them no rest. Attacking from the southern heights at 04:30 on the next morning, they were able to successfully assault the Norwegians still quartered in the houses below and wipe them out by 11:00. 144 prisoners were taken in this battle.

For his success here, and the resulting ramifications of it, Stautner received the Knight's Cross.