Jacobs, Martin

Date of birth:: December 24th, 1922 (Goch-Hülm/Rhineprovince, Germany)
Date of death:: May 17th, 1987 (Goch-Hülm/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Gruppenführer 2. / Grenadier-Regiment 431 / 131.Infanterie-Division / XXXXI.Armee-Korps / 9.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:: December 26th, 1943

On the 15.12.1943 the Soviets penetrated through the frontline of the Grenadier-Regiment 431 north of Salessje (SW of Tschaussy). In response, Obergefreiter Jacobs swiftly organized a group of 20 soldiers and launched a counterattack on his own initiative. Jacobs and his men were able to take the old line by storm following a fierce battle, in which they also recaptured a previously lost outpost that was also of great importance. In this battle, conducted at nighttime, the German force was also able to capture 17 prisoners and 9 deserters.

For throwing the Soviets back from this section of front, an action in which he himself would be wounded in the process, Jacobs was awarded the Knight’s Cross while in the field hospital at Borissow.