Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer II./Grenadier-Regiment 1082

Awarded on:

March 11th, 1945

During the battles around the Vistula river south of Kattowitz in the middle of February 1945, the Soviets launched a heavy attack with tanks and infantry against the positions of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 1082. Here they succeeded in forcing a penetration. It was at this point that Gefreiter Schäfer mustered the men of his squad and launched a counterattack, which was able to retake the lost frontline. He then held it for the remainder of the battle, and in doing so he prevented the flanks of his Kompanie from being rolled up at a critical position.

For this action, as well as others during the fighting in this time period, Schaefer would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.