Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann

Unit:

5./Panzer-Regiment "GD"

Awarded on:

February 10th, 1944

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:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Chef 5./Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Awarded on:

June 4th, 1944

During the fighting around Targul Frumos in late April 1944, Hauptmann Klemz commanded the 5./Panzer-Regiment ‘Großdeutschland’. At the beginning of the fighting the Kompanie had a complement of 22 operational Panzer IV tanks at its disposal, an impressive number for the time.

On the 25.04.1944 the Kompanie, in cooperation with the Panzergrenadier-Regiment ‘Großdeutschland’ and the Sturmgeschütz-Brigade ‘Großdeutschland’, captured an important ridge near Ruginoasa. With this the preconditions were created for the later successful German effort to destroy a bridge over the Sereth near Vascani, which had previously fallen into Soviet hands intact.

Later, on the night of the 26-27.04.1944, the II./Panzer-Regiment ‘Großdeutschland’ was again alerted. A Romanian unit had abandoned a village without warning and the Soviets had thrust into this gap with strong tank forces. The next morning, as Hauptmann Klemz was reconnoitring the area, he observed a strong enemy tank assembly area. Without hesitation he decided to attack this enemy armour group in their moment of unpreparedness.

His 5. Kompanie, comprising 19 Panzer IVs, rolled against the enemy. The battle was a total success, with many Soviet medium and heavy tanks destroyed. In the aftermath of the fight the Germans counted 20 destroyed enemy tanks, more than a dozen eliminated anti-tank guns/artillery pieces and a few trucks. 5. Kompanie, meanwhile, got away with suffering only 1 friendly Panzer knocked out.

For his outstanding success in these battles Hauptmann Klemz would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.