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Jansky, Paul-Vincenz

Date of birth:
January 18th, 1916 (Koken/Sudetenland, Austrian-Hungarian Empire)
Date of death:
October 22nd, 1998 (Braunfels/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

Paul-Vincenz Jansky finally reached the rank of Hauptmann der Reserve.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef 7. / Jäger-Regiment 49
Awarded on:
August 12th, 1944
During the summer of 1944 the Jäger-Regiment 49 found itself engaged in fierce combat north of the village of Baranovichi. After days of bitter fighting the village, whose defenders included the Regiment’s 7. Kompanie commanded by Oberleutnant Jansky, was set on fire and this caused a number of defending German soldiers to be badly burned. However it had to be held at all costs in order to allow for a provisional counterattack.

This aim was thrown into jeopardy when the Soviets broke through the position beside the village, threatening to trap the whole Regiment. Realizing this, Jansky decided to lead an immediate counterattack to retake the old German line. With only 15 men of his Kompanie, who were by now totally exhausted from the ceaseless fighting, he stormed into the enemy while inspiring his men with his example. They were able to retake the old German line and hold it against all Soviet attempts to reverse this until the planned withdrawal of the Regiment had been carried out. For this action he would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

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