Pankow, Georg

Date of birth:: November 23rd, 1913 (Friedensburg-Podejuch/Stettin, Germany)
Date of death:: August 6th, 2001 (Sankt Augustin/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: sMG Führer, 2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 338, 208. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: March 31st, 1943

On the 22.02.1943, east of Bolchow (in the Oka sector), the Soviets launched a major tank-supported assault on the positions of the 208. Infanterie-Division. In a battle that raged for 2 days, Obergefreiter Pankow held onto his heavy machine gun position even as countless soldiers fell to the trenches both left and right of him. Eventually manning the position all on his own, he allowed the Soviet tanks to pass while crushing wave after wave of attacking infantry. By constantly changing position he was able to deceive the Soviets into believing a stronger German defense existed than was actually the case.

He killed a presumably high ranking Soviet officer who exposed himself outside of his tank, as following this the Soviet attacks were suddenly brought to a halt for the next three days and nights. Just as well, for Pankow was badly wounded by shell shrapnel to the back of his head just as he was reaching the end of his limits in any case. He was evacuated to the hospital.

Pankow’s bravery and devotion to duty here prevented a Soviet breakthrough here, and a total of over 250 dead Soviets were apparently later counted in front of his heavy machine-gun position. Pankow was thereafter decorated with the Iron Cross First Class and later the Knight’s Cross.