Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier der Reserve (Corporal of Reserves)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, III. Bataillon, Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 96, 96. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1944

The following press excerpt, dated 14.10.1944, describes why Feiertag would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“… During the heavy fighting along the southern sector of the Eastern front at the start of this year his Kompanie was halted by heavy enemy fire while in an unclear situation. Unteroffizier Feiertag went to try and make contact with the enemy along with a soldier from his squad. In the process he came into the vicinity of an enemy artillery piece and was able to get to within grenade-throwing distance unnoticed. He threw two hand grenades and utilized the ensuing chaos by eliminating the Soviet gun crew with his machine-pistol. He destroyed the gun itself with a hand grenade. The confusion amongst the enemy gave the Kompanie the chance to storm the enemy positions with a loud ‘Hurra’.

In the ensuing village battle Feiertag once again stood at the spearhead of his Kompanie despite having been shot through the hand and forearm, and he remained in this capacity until the day’s objective had been reached. By knocking out the enemy gun with a machine-pistol and hand grenades he secured his Kompanie’s victory thanks to his ruthless devotion to devotion and initiative. After his wound had healed Unteroffizier Feiertag returned to his unit in May of this year, and was once again wounded in July.”