Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 84, 8. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 21st, 1941

The following newspaper article (dated 23.09.1942) describes why Ring received the Knight’s Cross…

“Knight’s Cross Holder Major Ring Fallen - Distinguished Himself at Grodno and Smolensk:

On the 03.09.1942 Knight’s Cross Holder Major Erich Ring died in battle against the Bolsheviks whilst serving as a Bataillon commander in an Infanterie-Regiment.

This model officer had previously distinguished himself on multiple occasions as a result of his brave devotion to duty and masterful leadership of his Bataillon. Such attributes enabled him to decisively contribute to the successes of the Regiment. This was the case already in the first days of the Eastern campaign, when he made the independent decision to capture an important river crossing during the attack against Grodno. This action opened up a path for the Regiment to strike against the city itself. Later, during the encirclement battle at Smolensk, he ejected the bitterly defending enemy from their commanding hilltop positions. In doing so he definitively closed the southern edge of the German encirclement ring.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 84, 8. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 22nd, 1941

308th Award