Nr. 135.621

Unit:

Bataillon Teja, 2. Kompanie

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1933

Nr.159

Awarded on:

February 1934

Awarded on:

1935

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1939

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 5th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 27th, 1943

in silver

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer der Reserve (Staff Sergeant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

January 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer der Reserve (Staff Sergeant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer, 2. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Regiment 1, 1. SS-Panzer-Division LSSAH, Heeresgruppe D

Awarded on:

June 4th, 1944

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

“SS-Oberscharführer Dauser has been continuously involved in the operations beginning in autumn 1943, first as a group leader and then as a Panzer Zugführer starting in December. In this time he has distinguished himself as a model soldier through his selfless commitment to the action, boldness and singular devotion to duty.

He acquitted himself well during the first combat days in the area around Popelnja, Kornin and Kotscherowo while in combat with much larger enemy tank and infantry forces. He consistently employed the vehicles of his Zug in a bold fashion, and yet never to the point of recklessness. Dauser put up a particularly good performance near Tschubarowka on the 28.12.1943. Here, as he was himself participating in a surprise night drive, he encountered a column of about 30 T-34 tanks and proceeded to take up combat with them in calm and confident manner. He destroyed 3 enemy tanks out of the scattered column at very close range.

During the time period November 1943 to March 1944 Dauser has destroyed a total of 34 enemy tanks.

Dauser demonstrated particular bravery on the 26.01.1944. At this time the SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 ‘LSSAH’ had the mission of thrusting through to the Lipowitz railway station via Briskoje, Rottmistriwka, Ganowka, Napadowka and Rossosche. From here they would block the railroad and secure the area to the east. Dauser led the point Zug during the attack against Napadowka. In the midst of heavy snowfall he succeeded in breaking into the village (at the time heavily occupied by enemy tank and infantry forces) via a surprise flanking thrust in order to eject the enemy forces from it. During his attack against the creek he saw a single bridge located atop a narrow dam that crossed the otherwise largely impassable water obstacle. At the time it was being used by the enemy for their retreat, and Dauser perceived the great importance of this bridge for the continued advance of his own forces.

Dauser thus attacked towards the bridge, paying no heed to the enemy fire. As he approached he was shot at by both an enemy assault gun as well as enemy infantry around the bridge. Despite this he still managed to dismount his Panzer, cut the demolition wires at the bridge and then take it under friendly control. After remounting his Panzer he then cleared the area immediately around the bridge of all enemies, destroying the enemy assault gun as he did so.

By this bold and brave action Dauser laid the groundwork for the further attack of the Regiment against the village of Rossosche, which was being used as an enemy blocking just before Lipowitz. Thanks to his efforts it was possible to take this village on the very next day. His bold capture and holding of the only crossing at Napadowka also forced the enemy forces in the village to leave behind the vast majority of their equipment.

Dauser is an optimistic and charismatic man who is both a teacher and model for the men on account of his open-minded character and attentiveness to his duties.

I hold Dauser as worthy of receiving this high award and ask that this request be approved.”

Submitted on May 19th 1944.
Preliminary document to Heeresgruppe D on June 7th 1944 - based on a recommendation by Abt. Fhr. i.V. SS-Hauptsturmführer Josef Diefenthal; Endorsed 02.05.1944 by Rgt. Kdr. „Jochen“ Peiper; Approved by Korps Kom. Gen. „Sepp“ Dietrich