Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Pionier-Bataillon 211, 211. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

November 18th, 1944

Following a massive Soviet attack on the 11.10.1944 the 211. Infanterie-Division was forced to fall back to the so-called Las Line, lying between the villages of Las and Szelkow and just in front of the Rozan—Pultusk road. Here the Pionier-Bataillon 211 under the commander of Major Matzke was in position on the far left flank of the Division, with the II./Grenadier-Regiment 317 to its right.

The next morning the Soviets launched another heavy attack, which penetrated at the boundary between Pionier-Bataillon 211 and II./Grenadier-Regiment 317. This penetration could initially only be contained by the German Pioniers. At midday the 2./Pionier-Bataillon 211, along with the rest of the Grenadier-Regiment 365 and some Sturmgeschütze, launched a counterthrust commanded by Major Matzke. This move threw back the Soviets and the Germans were able to advance against furious opposing resistance up to Rostki-Stroze.

This counterattack bought vital time in which the hard-fought Division could gather up its stragglers and create a new blocking position near Makow. For this act, as well as a previous success in which he was able to prevent an imminent Soviet breakthrough at the last moment, Major Matzke would receive the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)