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Toschka, Rudolf

Date of birth:
September 26th, 1911 (Berlin, Germany)
Date of death:
February 21st, 1944 (Anzio/Nettun, Italy)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Pomezia
Plot: L. Grave: 13.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Hauptmann, Fallschirmjäger

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1
Awarded on:
June 14th, 1941
In the planning for the assault on Crete Toschka's Kompanie, consisting of 90 men in 9 gliders, had the mission of eliminating an anti-aircraft battery south of Chania. Toschka's Zug was to land right in the middle of the battery positions, but in the operation it overshot the landing zone and touched down in the middle of a hostile concentration. The Fallschirmjäger quickly dismounted and destroyed the two trucks carrying opposing troops, thereafter proceeding to the battery. They broke into the trench positions and were able to overcome the garrison in bitter close combat, during which Toschka was badly wounded. In spite of his injury however he was able to warn the Kompanie commander of a hostile MG position and thus save his life. As a result of these actions, Toschka received the Knight's Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo