Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 4th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 23rd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kdr, I. Bataillon, Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Awarded on:

March 12th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

Awarded for his actions during the operations around Schaulen in August 1944.

In this time, after the men of the Großdeutschland Division had captured Kuziai on the 19.08.1944, the Division’s Fusilier Regiment pressed on southwards to reach the stream obstacle that had been designated as its attack objective. During this advance Basse and a handful of his troops managed to pull off a daring exploit. They occupied an undamaged bridge across the stream and also captured a Soviet defensive position on its eastern bank. With this a bridgehead was created that could allow for continued German offensive operations.

Basse himself would be recognized appropriately for this feat, and on the following day the regimental commander composed the following order of the day in light of the Bataillon’s recent successes…

“I. Bataillon has outstandingly distinguished itself during the fighting in the recent days.

In recognition of their proud successes, and with the approval of the divisional commander, I authorize this Bataillon to bear the sign of the Lion on their SPWs as a special identification marker.”