Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, Pionier-Bataillon 152, 52. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

November 23rd, 1941

On the 24.10.1941 Leutnant Loos reached the village of Tarussa as part of an infantry Kampfgruppe. Here a smaller river flowed into the Oka, and a crossing thereby had to be found here. Moving towards the bridge, he found that it had been destroyed, but 80 metres along the riverbank he saw a temporary bridge that still seemed to be in good shape, albeit prepped for demolition.

At the time he was accompanied only by two comrades, one of which had an MG. With this (and later a rifle after the MG had jammed) Loos immediately began moving to the bridge, making it there unscathed despite the furious Soviet fire. Once there he began removing both charges and fuses. With his last grenade he drove off a hostile MG squad, and while under heavy fire he removed two rows of wooden mines that blocked the approaches to the bridge. By this time the Germans had brought up heavy weapons, and under their protection the German infantry stormed over the bridge.

In the time immediately after this the bridge would be a vital lifeline for the German attacking formations. Such was its importance that the Soviets tried, unsuccessfully, to destroy it with air attacks multiple times. Loos would receive the Knight’s Cross for his role in securing this important crossing.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)

Unit:

Heeres-Pionier-Bataillon zbV, Heer (Heeres-Pionier-Bataillon zbV, Heer)

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1945

5405th Award.
According to Dörr as Hauptmann.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)