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Meyer, Walter (WH-Gren.Rgt. 1221)

Date of birth:
November 11th, 1914 (Düsseldorf/Rhine Province, Germany)
Date of death:
December 27th, 1987
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Gruppenführer Kradmelderzug 9
Awarded on:
July 7th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Gruppenführer Kradmelderzug 9
Awarded on:
September 7th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Gruppenführer Kradmelderzug 9
Awarded on:
January 25th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Zugführer Kampfgruppe Bruhn
Awarded on:
October 9th, 1944
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Zugführer Kampfgruppe Bruhn
Awarded on:
November 23rd, 1944
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel
Unit:
Zugführer 5. / Grenadier-Regiment 1221
Awarded on:
March 11th, 1945
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
Zugführer 5. / Grenadier-Regiment 1221
Awarded on:
April 28th, 1945
Meyer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 21.02.1945 Feldwebel Meyer was serving as the commander of the combat outposts, and on this day he decided to go against his orders to pull back to the main line of defense if confronted with strong opposing pressure. Instead he defended from his strongpoint (located 1 km before the main line of defense), and he managed to hold off an attack by a reinforced battalion from the English Guards Armoured Division (supported by 18 tanks) long enough for countermeasures to be enacted against hostile penetrations to both his left and right. The enemy sustained bloody losses in the process (20 prisoners, 55 counted dead and 135 counted wounded), and a hostile breakthrough of friendly lines was averted.”

To this was added a supplementary note by the commanding general of the LXXXVI. Armee-Korps…

“I endorse the award of the Knight’s Cross to Feldwebel Meyer. Meyer’s independent resolve enabled him to separate the hostile infantry from their tanks, and once this was achieved they were successfully engaged and badly bloodied. Thanks to this the attack ground to a halt before it had even reached the main line of defense.”

Under strange circumstances, Walter Meyer was fomally awarded twice with the Knoghts Cross. Twice the recitation was completely treated through the formal channels and twice the Knights Cross was granted for on and the same action (Source: Scherzer).
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

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