Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 32, 12. Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

April 28th, 1945

On 02.04.1945 the Soviets launched a heavy attack against the German fortified position NE of Frauenburg, into which they successfully penetrated. A Flak troop then opened fire on the captured position from below. In order to take advantage of the suppressive effect of these weapons, Oberleutnant Otte assembled his Kompanie (which was stationed behind the line as a reserve) and launched a counterattack before he received any orders to do so.

Leading his Kompanie from the front, Otte was able to storm into the captured position despite the heavy Soviet defensive fire. After breaking into it successfully, he took a Zug and rolled up the Soviet-occupied trenches towards the east. The other half of the Kompanie did the same to the trenches on the western side of the position.

Thus, through his swift and independent action, Otte was able to destroy the bulk of the Soviet force and crush the hostile penetration attempt. By doing this the relatively favourable defensive line here was restored and a potential springboard for a deeper Soviet penetration towards the northwest was removed. For this action Otte received the Knight’s Cross.