Awarded on:

1936

Awarded on:

1936

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment (motorisiert) 92, 60. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert), Heer

Awarded on:

July 20th, 1942

The following newspaper article (dated 05.08.1942) describes why Petershagen received the Knight’s Cross…

“A Bataillon against a Division - Deed of a Greifswald Knight’s Cross Holder:

Among the newest Knight’s Cross Holders of the Heer is Oberstleutnant Rudolf Petershagen, who resides in Greifswald.

During the encirclement battle south of Kharkov, Oberstleutnant Petershagen was deployed in the eastern part of the pocket. A major enemy attack had only just been repulsed when prisoner statements revealed that the enemy had planned for a massive assault on the following day. The goal of this upcoming assault was to smash the encirclement ring and force a breakout. When reconnaissance probes conducted during the following night confirmed these prisoner statements, Oberstleutnant Petershagen personally made the bold decision to preempt the enemy attack by striking the identified Bolshevik assembly areas first. Thus, during the early morning hours of the next day, Oberstleutnant Petershagen led his infantrymen in an attack that totally surprised the enemy. Although the enemy resistance and firepower was fierce, a major success was still achieved. Almost an entire Soviet division was eliminated, with its commander and 8000 men being captured. The amount of captured weapons, equipment and vehicles was immense.

After this the Bataillon intended to return to its old defensive positions, however strong Bolshevik cavalry forces suddenly appeared from the other side of a ridge. They attacked the Bataillon and cut off its return route. Without any undue delay, Oberstleutnant Petershagen immediately attacked this new enemy, inspiring his infantrymen forwards with machine-pistol in hand. However more and more enemy riders and columns crossed over the ridge, and so the Bataillon was unable to force a breakthrough despite its bold display of aggression. In the midst of this difficult situation, Oberstleutnant Petershagen decided to break through the enemy forces with an assault troop before clearing the way for the Bataillon with newly arrived friendly forces. This breakthrough succeeded, and Petershagen’s Bataillon was able to reoccupy its old defensive positions during the same night.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943