Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 48, 12. Volksgrenadier-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1945

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

“On the 03.03.1945 Leutnant Rafoth fought to cover the ordered breakout of the remnants of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 48 in an action that primarily featured bitter urban combat. He did this from a position at the southeastern entrance of Blessem with a 20-man strong Kampfgruppe (consisting of stragglers and supply troops) which he had just been placed in command of. During this defensive battle he observed how 2 reinforced enemy bicycle companies (supported by 2 tanks) sought to reach the Erft river along the road Lechenich—Liblar. Leutnant Rafoth thus decided to disengage from his battle at Blessem, and he fought through enemy occupied territory up to the village of Liblar. From here, fighting at the head of his men, he threw back those American attacking spearheads that had already reached the undamaged railway bridges via the Kölner und Brühler roads (located northeast of Liblar). Here he held both bridges for two hours against a much larger attacking force until the remnants of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 48 arrived as reinforcements.

This bold and decisive action by Leutnant Rafoth and his small Kampfgruppe prevented the enemy from capturing these two undamaged bridges. This in turn prevented the further advance of the Americans beyond the Division’s incomplete frontline and in the direction of Cologne.”

To this was added an insightful comment by the commander of the LVIII. Panzer-Korps…

“Leutnant Rafoth’s independent action to hold 2 bridges enabled the successful withdrawal movement by elements of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 48. His brave conduct had a major impact on the combat situation of his Division. I am emphatically in favour of the award of the Knight’s Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 29th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 22nd, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 7th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 26th, 1942