Damm, Otto

Date of birth:: May 29th, 1914 (Eschenhahn/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:: July 16th, 1943 (Busuluk/Russia, Soviet Union)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Otto Damm was posthumously promoted to Leutnant.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:: Zugführer, 10. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 216, 86. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: August 4th, 1943

Awarded for his actions on the 15.07.1943. On this day the Soviets launched major attacks against the 86. Infanterie-Division and penetrated through the German line as far as the command post of Damm’s Bataillon. In response he rallied whatever Grenadiers were in his vicinity, and with these he retook an important hill. He continued to gather up whatever Grenadiers, artillerymen and Panzerjäger he could find, and eventually he gathered up a force large enough for another counterattack. He proceeded to launch one on his own initiative, and by doing so he ultimately managed to recapture the old frontline in his sector. He would die in battle on the following day while defending against another Soviet assault near Busuluk. However his bravery on the battlefield would not go unrecognized, and he would later receive a posthumous promotion in addition to the Knight’s Cross.

Awarded posthumously.