Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 2./Pionier-Bataillon 248

Awarded on:

May 14th, 1944

During the movement of the encircled 1. Panzer-Armee back to German lines, the 168. Infanterie-Division was among the units assigned to guard the pocket’s southern flank from Soviet attacks. One of these broke into the Division’s positions and threatened to turn into a breakthrough, with potentially disastrous consequences. In this critical situation Feldwebel Kempe launched a counterthrust on his own initiative with his much depleted Zug. Somehow he managed to win back the old German position and then defend it against all subsequent Soviet attacks while inflicting heavy losses, all despite having no contact with friendly forces to the left or right.

Kempe would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for preventing an enemy breakthrough here at the last minute.