Bertram, Ludwig

Date of birth:: January 8th, 1917 (Schifferstadt/Palatinate, Germany)
Date of death:: June 30th, 2006 (Eppstein im Taunus/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Career:
1939: Wehrmacht;
?: Zugführer II. / Beobachtungs-Abteilung 29;
?: Chef I. / Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237;
?: Kommandeur I./Panzerjäger-Brigade 219.

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(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: January 20th, 1942

Krimschild (Stiftungs ausführing)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: October 12th, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef, 1. Kompanie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237, Heer
Awarded on:: August 12th, 1944

On the 23.07.1944 the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237 received orders to secure the important road junction at Miedzyrzec (southeast of Siedlce). On the night of the 25./26.07.1944 Oberleutnant Bertram and his Sturmgeschützen were instructed to go to a Soviet penetration east of the road junction. When the Batterie returned to Miedzyrzec on the 27.07.1944 they found that the infantry that were securing the city had left, leaving them as virtually the only defenders in the area. The Soviet attacking spearhead was not far behind them.

Although the Batterie commander, Oberleutnant Bertram, only had 4 Sturmgeschützen remaining he decided to take up combat. Up until the evening he and his men managed to deny the Soviets access to the city and the road junction. This display of steadfastness allowed the German leadership to create a new defensive front southeast of Siedlce and thereby prevent a breakthrough by strong Soviet forces towards Warsaw.

For this, as well as reaching a personal total of 12 tanks destroyed, Bertram would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.