Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 101, 101. Jäger-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1943

Here follows an excerpt from a divisional order of the day (dated 05.06.1943) that describes why Devers would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“… Hauptmann (back then Oberleutnant) Devers distinguished himself with the weak forces of his Schwadron during the defense of the eastern blocking position at the Kuban dam near Prikubanskij. Here they repelled 4 major Russian attacks through several bold counterthrusts of their own.

Several days of heavy enemy fire had destroyed almost every combat position one after the other, and the bulk of the light and heavy infantry weapons had become damaged. Even so the first Russian attack on the 30.04.1943 was defeated. A short while afterwards the Russians renewed their attack with significant forces, overrunning the friendly battle positions. In this dangerous situation Oberleutnant Devers rallied a few men from his immediate surroundings and launched a successful counterthrust while under powerful defensive fire from all enemy weapons. The enemy once again achieved a penetration an hour later. Once more Oberleutnant Devers gathered up his heavily depleted troops and stormed against the broken-in Bolsheviks at the head of his own forces as a shining example of courage and bravery. Although Oberleutnant Devers was heavily wounded in this fighting he again managed to throw back the Russians, and thereby bloodily repulsed the fourth attack.

The heroic intervention and outstanding bravery demonstrated by Oberleutnant Devers did not only ensure that the eastern blocking position was held. He also achieved a success that was of decisive importance for the continuation of operations in the Kuban bridgehead.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)