Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10

Awarded on:

December 11th, 1944

The following newspaper article (dated 13.02.1945) describes why Muttenthaler was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“A Panzergrenadier Regiment from the German Danube district in battle around Aachen:

A Grenadier Regiment commenced an attack against strongly fortified American positions north of Aachen. The furious defensive fire meant that the Kompanien could only advance with heavy losses. In one of these attacking Kompanien Feldwebel Muttenthaler took over the leadership of the Grenadiers after all the officers had fallen out, and with them he penetrated into the enemy position. The Americans responded with a strong drumfire followed by a combined-arms counterthrust, however the brave Feldwebel was able successfully hold the conquered ground with his handful of Panzergrenadiers. The Americans then tried an enveloping attack, and at one stage it appeared that they had indeed succeeded in enveloping the whole Bataillon. But then Muttenthaler launched a counterthrust on his own initiative into the enemy flank with his brave Grenadiers. This cost the foe heavy losses and confused them to such an extent that the envelopment attempt was smashed. The brave Feldwebel had remained with his men despite being wounded. For this the Führer has awarded him the Knight’s Cross.”