Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regment 120 (motorisiert), 60. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert), Heer

Awarded on:

January 18th, 1943

Awarded for his defense of the key village of Marinovka on the western side of the Stalingrad pocket. He held onto the village in a series of defensive battles that lasted from 28.11.1942 until 10.01.1943. He was taken prisoner following the liquidation of the pocket but was among the few that survived, and he returned to Germany on 13.12.1949.

179th Award.

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)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Commander II./Infanterie-Regiment 120

Awarded on:

July 25th, 1942

Awarded for his successful combat record in the Second Battle of Kharkov. On the 17.05.1942 his Bataillon (at the time fighting on the left wing of its parent Regiment) was on the attack as part of the German effort to encircle Soviet forces. Willig, fighting at the front of his Bataillon, bypassed several Soviet resistance nests and stormed into the fortified village of Fidlerowo. In fierce close combat, he and the lead elements of his Bataillon managed to wrest control of it. In doing so he brought relief to the right wing of the neighbouring German unit (100. Jäger-Division) and thus permitted the successful continuation of the German attack on the next day.