Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer 3./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 12

Awarded on:

April 15th, 1944

On the 04.04.1944 the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 12 advanced to the village of Warszyk as part of the overall effort to relieve Kovel. Around dusk they were engaged by a fortified Soviet strongpoint containing 3 anti-tank guns, which began a firefight with the German Panzers. In a short, violent strike Leutnant Pohris and a few Panzergrenadiers of 2. Kompanie stormed into the strongpoint, captured it and (on their own initiative) crossed over a floodplain to capture the Soviet field fortifications as far as the base of Hill 500. For this action Leutnant Pohris was awarded the Knight’s Cross shortly afterwards.