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Evers, Walter

Date of birth:
August 3rd, 1912 (Harburg/Hannover, Germany)
Date of death:
December 28th, 1943 (Dymanovo/Belarus, Soviet Union)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Walter Evers reached the rank of Hauptmann der Reserve. He probably lies buried as an unknown soldier at the German Warcemetery Schatkowo.

Career:
?: Führer 11. / Infanterie-Regiment 271;
?: Kommandeur III. / Grenadier-Regiment 106.

- Sturmbannführer in the SA-Regiment Feldherrnhalle

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, 11. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 271, 93. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
December 4th, 1941
The following wartime excerpt describes why Leutnant Evers would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Leutnant Evers’ decision on the 23.08.1941 to attack in a decisive direction, despite only being tasked with a defensive mission, must be seen as extraordinary. His boldly conducted attack did not only enable the Infanterie-Regiment 271 to swiftly advance forwards. It also enabled the similarly advancing Infanterie-Regiment 272 (located further south with its north wing advancing through Zahonje) to cross the stream that lay in front of it and reach the southern part of Koskino along with the area to the south of it. This in turn opened the way for the last Regiment of the Division to advance to the northern bank of the Luga river via Sala. This success was of definitive importance for the further combat of the 93. Infanterie-Division.”

The following excerpt from the SA-Zeitung further expands on this action…

“Lightning swift comprehension of the situation, responsibility and swift decisiveness. These were the traits that characterized the actions of Leutnant Walter Evers when he was faced with an opportunity in the fighting before Leningrad that could lead to life or death for numerous comrades. Three Bataillone were going up against determined resistance near Luga. The Kompanie of the Bataillon ‘Feldherrnhalle’ that Evers was (representatively) leading was in reserve. It was comprised almost exclusively of Ostmärkern. The pressure of the enemy wings was becoming increasingly stronger. Because of this Evers decided to intervene with his men. He bypassed the enemy wing, attacked it from the flank and rolled it up. The three Bataillone received some breathing space from this action, and were able to thrust forward into the enemy lines to a depth of 15 km. They overpowered a command post and opened the way for the remainder of the Division to follow. Evers carried out this operation without taking any friendly losses. For this bold deed the Stabschef promoted him to Sturmbannführer.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo