Köster, Walter

Date of birth:: December 2nd, 1906 (Gelsenkirchen/Westphalia, Germany)
Date of death:: July 31st, 1942 (Petrovka-Rostov/Russia, Soviet Union)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Krasnodar-Apscheronsk
Plot: 9. Grave: unnbekant.
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
?: Leutnant';
?: Oberleutnant;
?: Hauptmann;
1942: Major;
July 10th, 1943: Oberstleutnant (postuum, as from: July 1st, 1942, RDA: January 1st, 1942, -90a-)

Career:
?: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment (mot) 156

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment (mot) 156, 16. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)
Awarded on:: October 30th, 1941

During an engagement in Operation Barbarossa, the Soviets spotted the movements of the III./Infanterie-Regiment (mot) 156 and laid heavy fire upon it. The Bataillon, which lacked flank protection from other German units, was caught in a situation where its survival would depend on its ability to move on swiftly. Recognizing the difficult predicament, Hauptmann Köster moved to the forward Kompanien. He knew that his unit alone was in a position to strike the heavily manned village of Belozerkowka and that there was no time to waste.

Despite the heavy defensive fire, he led an assault against the village from the east with 11. Kompanie and the rest of 12. Kompanie. He managed to catch the Soviets by surprise, penetrate into the village and eliminate the hostile resistance in close combat. After a short and furious battle Köster was able to report the capture of the village by radio.

By this brave action he eliminated the last obstacle to the creation of a bridgehead by the Division, which would be decisive for the continuation of the Division’s further battles. He would be recognized for this feat with the Knight’s Cross.