Pröll, Karl

Date of birth:: September 16th, 1910 (Batzhausen, Germany)
Date of death:: February 7th, 1974 (Passau/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: 2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 63, 17. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: April 1st, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 63, 17. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: January 30th, 1943

During the fighting in the area around Kotelnikowo (at the end of December 1942) the commander of the Pz.Gr.Rgt. 63 became a casualty, and so Hauptmann Pröll took over command of the Regiment. He reorganized his units, created a shock troop and launched a counterattack that succeeded in retaking a strategically significant point that had been lost to the Soviets. This action was crucial for the continued operations of the whole 17. Panzer-Division, and in recognition of this feat Pröll would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 35, 25. Panzergrenadier-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: January 25th, 1945

The non-armoured Kampfgruppe of the 25. Panzergrenadier-Division, commanded by Oberstleutnant Pröll, thrust through the Maginot line towards Hatten on the evening of 08.01.1945 under the cover of darkness. Following this, it became engaged in bitter urban combat around Hatten and Rittershofen in the time period 13.-19.01.1945. During this time, over the course of 8 days, Pröll succeeded in repelling 35 US attacks launched by two separate divisions with only 150 men of his own. In the process they also managed to capture a factory in the neighbouring sector and save its German garrison from inevitable annihilation. Pröll would receive the Oakleaves for his performance during these battles.

715th Award.