Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

February 16th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Regiment 10, 10. SS Panzer Division "Frundsberg", 3. Panzer-AOK, Heeresgruppe Weichsel

Awarded on:

March 28th, 1945

Scherzer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Starting on the 11.02.1945 SS-Obersturmführer Scherzer and his Panther Kompanie (the 1./SS-Pz.Rgt. 10) were subordinated to the Heer Division “Holstein” for defensive, and later offensive, tasks.

On the 16.02.1945 the Division received the order to pass through Gross-Krässow (just west of the Madü-See) and then capture Werben and Gross-Schönfelde. From here they would occupy and hold open the passage southeast of the Madü-See. During the course of the attack the Division succeeded in penetrating into the village of Werben and thereafter seize the Gross-Schönfelde train station,

These successes, achieved against a hard-fighting enemy with strong Pakfronts and tank forces in support with no significant artillery support on the German side, were made possible by the decisively led spearhead of the attack formation. This was the Kompanie led by Scherzer. Scherzer, leading at the head of his Kompanie with bravery and tactical skill, led the assaulting elements of the Division forward and crushed the enemy forces up until reaching the Gross-Schönfelde train station. During this battle his Kompanie, always leading at the head of the attack, destroyed 30 enemy tanks (29 T-34s and 1 IS-2) and 22 Pak (including 8 heavy Pak).

By his outstanding bravery shown in the operation to accomplish the attack objectives of the Division, Scherzer contributed significantly to the fulfillment of its main task. This was namely to split up and smash the strong enemy forces in the direction Stargard-Stettin.

During this fighting Scherzer particularly distinguished himself by his boldness during the battle around Krüssow. Here, driving at the head of his Kompanie, he was knocked out twice and wounded in the process. However he nonetheless remained in command of the Kompanie.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Scherzer is only at the front due to his own free will. He decided to report for duty despite a severe lung disease, which he has overcome in a way not thought possible. Even more remarkable is the fact that, due to particularly special circumstances, Scherzer was leading a Panzer Kompanie for the first time. The Kompanie was also relatively inexperienced, have only been involved in one day of combat on the western front.

It should furthermore be noted that the Kompanie only sustained 3 total losses in these battles and conducted the operation essentially with 4-6 Panzers in every engagement.

On the basis of his personality Scherzer is worthy to be decorated with the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”

Note: The original text is hard to make out, and certain portions of the translation may be incorrect. However most important points can be considered accurate.