Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 28th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer I. / Infanterie-Regiment 282 / 98. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1941

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 19.09.1942) describes why Emmert would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 25.10.1941 Hauptmann Emmert led his Bataillon through a dense, heavily fortified area of terrain. As darkness fell he realized that the only way to assure the much-needed enlargement of his position was to seize the eastern part of the village just ahead of him from the south. He judged correctly that the Soviets would use any additional time to reconstitute their defense and bring up reinforcements. It was thus imperative to utilize the low light conditions for an immediate surprise assault against the Bolshevik field positions on the eastern edge of the village. Hauptmann Emmert decided to personally place himself at the head of a weak Kompanie. With this unit he managed to penetrate the Soviet frontline after a violent effort. Then, with machine-pistol in hand, he rolled up the enemy position on either side. With this the eastern part of the village (which had been strongly garrisoned and fortified by the enemy) fell into German hands.”

The following wartime excerpt provides additional detail concerning the aforementioned action…

“On the 25.10.1941 Oberleutnant Emmert and his Bataillon were involved in a thrust against the road east of Gorki while positioned on the left wing of the Infanterie-Regiment 282. On this day he made the decision to deviate from his mission and capture the village of Gorki in an attack from the southeast. After seizing the village he occupied it with his Bataillon and elements of the III. Bataillon. Through this action he played the main role in creating a bridgehead over the Narva river along the course of the road, which was of great importance for the recommencement of the attack against Moscow. To this day the forward line of this bridgehead is the location which he captured.”