Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 12./Grenadier-Regiment 123

Awarded on:

May 10th, 1943

Awarded for a particular act of bravery on one night during the end of April / beginning of May 1943. It is described in the following first-hand account…

“A Russian assault troop had dug itself into a depression in front of the Bataillon Bärenfänger (III./Grenadier-Regiment 123), and took our positions under fire with mortars. Unteroffizier Ippisch, of the 12./Grenadier-Regiment 123, crouched behind his heavy machine-gun with his men as the situation developed. He felt that the Russian mortars were decidedly unpleasant, and therefore made the independent decision to end this harassment for good. With three men, he reached the depression after a few bounds. Here they were surprised to see about 100 men digging in. Even so he immediately opened fire with his MPi, while his comrades assisted with their own small arms and hand grenades. The Russians lost their nerve and fled, while losing about 20 dead and 41 captured. With these prisoners, the four men returned to their position unscathed. The Kurka sector had a few days of relief afterwards, with the riposte clearly leaving behind an effect.”