Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'

Awarded on:

August 17th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5

Awarded on:

January 23rd, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Unit:

stellv. Führer, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5, 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

May 4th, 1944

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

“SS-Obersturmführer Debus has been assigned acting command of the SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 since November 1943. He has particularly distinguished himself through his outstanding troop leadership and personal bravery during the heavy fighting in the pocket west of Cherkassy as well as in the breakout from said pocket.

SS-Obersturmführer Debus and his Aufkl.Abt. (reinforced by alarm units of the SS-Pz.Jg.Abt. 5 and two Batterien of ‘Wespen’) was placed as the spearhead of the Division’s attacking wedge during the ordered breakout from the pocket in the direction of Lissjanka on the night of the 16.-17.02.1944.

His mission was to first assemble in the area west of Chilki, near Hill 213.1. Moving out at 23:00, he was to advance via the lake south of Chilki and beyond the west edge of the forest southeast of Dshurshenzy towards Hill 239.0. Here he would make contact with friendly Panzer forces.

Over the course of the swiftly conducted attack a total of three enemy blocking positions were broken through, the middle one in particular being heavily defended by numerous anti-tank guns and mortars. During the fight to overcome this position the Bataillon took heavy fire and suffered accordingly, to the point where a success of this breakthrough appeared almost impossible. Support from the attached ‘Wespen’ was not available at this time since they were not able to keep up with the infantry given the difficult terrain. SS-Obersturmführer Debus gathered his men together and renewed the assault with a loud ‘Hurra’. This fresh attack succeeded in throwing the enemy out of this position while destroying several anti-tank guns and mortars.

This fighting was conducted without heavy weapons and, in order to surprise the enemy, with blank small-arms. And it was the extraordinary courage, energy and decisiveness of SS-Obersturmführer Debus that guaranteed the success of this difficult mission, one which was of decisive importance for the destiny of the encircled troops.

As the Bataillon continued its push along the Dshurshenzy—Potschapinzy road it encountered a new obstacle just before reaching Hill 239.0, namely a strong barrier of well dug-in infantry supported by 8-10 T-34 tanks. The absence of any anti-tank weapons, as well as the enemy fire that increased with the breaking daylight, meant that the brave yet small Kampfgruppe was halted. Enemy flanking attacks from the north could only be defended against with very weak forces. SS-Obersturmführer Debus realized that assailing this position offered no prospect of success, and furthermore that this in turn would put the success of the entire breakout into question. He thus decided to swing southwards with the elements still available to him and capture the forest east of Oktjabr. Despite the presence of further enemy tanks that rolled out of Potschapinzy the Gruppe managed to storm over the road and reach the Tikitsch river, located 4 km east of Lissjanka. It then proceeded to swim over the river. With this SS-Obersturmführer Debus had forged a path for the trailing Kampfgruppen of the Division to link up with the friendly Panzer forces positioned at Lissjanka.

I therefore hold SS-Obersturmführer Debus as one worthy to be awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”