Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 2. / Grenadier-Regiment 19 "List" / 7.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

November 3rd, 1944

The following press article describes why Forstner was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“At the end of August 1944, following a strong artillery barrage, the Soviets penetrated through the lines of the left neighbour. From here they threatened to roll up I. Bataillon (which was currently holding a position which was key for the integrity of the entire Division’s frontline) from the north. Feldwebel Forstner, who was deployed on the left wing, immediately recognized the magnitude of this danger. He acted without hesitating or waiting for orders. He began by ejecting the Soviets that had already entered his trenches. Then Forstner thrust into the flank of the Soviets and threw them back in a bitter struggle. It was this action alone which bought the Regiment enough to time close the gap with a deliberate counterattack.

But the Soviets were swift to resume their attack in the following days. Forstner’s Zug again stood in the midst of the fighting, and once again it was the brave Feldwebel who inspired his Grenadiers to their highest resistance through his prudence and boldness, and in doing so he denied the enemy every chance of success. It is above all thanks to Feldwebel Forstner that the keystone of the Division’s front remained in friendly hands.”