Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

2. / Jäger-Bataillon 2

Awarded on:

May 13th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef I. / Jäger-Bataillon 2

Awarded on:

December 5th, 1943

The following press article describes why Frech would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“The first 23 year-old Knight’s Cross Holder Ferdinand Frech, hailing from Königsheim (District Tuttlingen), Kompanie commander in a Jäger Bataillon, has proven himself to be an outstanding soldier and exemplary officer during the entire Eastern campaign. This distinguished Kompanie commander and his Jägern were transferred to cover a retreat movement at a particularly important position of the major retreat road. Very strong enemy attacks were expected, as the success of the defences here were particularly important for the planned conduct of operations. In the event the Soviets did attack along both sides of the road with great power. While the enemy were bloodily repulsed in front of the Jägern, their massed troops bypassed the position to the left and right, and they ultimately encircled Frech’s Kompanie. In this moment, with the help of a light Heer Flak gun, the Kompanie commander led the assault wedge of the Jägern forwards, broke through the enemy blocking position and fought back to freedom with his Kompanie having completed his mission.

Southwest of Demidoff Frech’s Kompanie formed the left wing of the Bataillon. The Soviets penetrated the sector of the left neighbour and threatened to roll up the German frontline. Without waiting for orders, Oberleutnant Frech refused his left flank, assembled whatever weak elements could be spared and then thrust into the far superior enemy with himself at the head of his scraped together forces. The Soviets were unprepared for this strike, and they retreated from their gains while leaving behind 60 dead. Frech’s Kompanie would go on to hold its positions for 36 hours against repeated hostile attacks until they withdrew as ordered, totally unnoticed by the enemy.

Three days later a similar situation presented itself. Once again Oberleutnant Frech and his troops stood on the left wing of the Bataillon, and once again the Soviets penetrated into the sector of the left neighbour (this time with 8 tanks). The Soviets pushed into the rear of Frech’s Kompanie. With great ruthlessness the young Oberleutnant held his positions against the masses of enemy coming in from both the front and the rear. Eventually reinforcements arrived, the situation was restored, and all 8 enemy tanks were knocked out. More than 200 enemy dead were counted just in front of the positions of Frech’s Kompanie.”

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)

Silver version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Soviet T 34 destroyed with hand-held magnetic charges.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Soviet T 34 destroyed with hand-held magnetic charges.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Soviet T 34 destroyed with hand-held magnetic charges.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Soviet T 34 destroyed with hand-held magnetic charges.