Zierhofer, Karl

Date of birth:: February 12th, 1924 (Mollram/Lower-Austria, Austria)
Date of death:: April 1st, 1945 (Lazerettzug near Horn/Lower-Austria, Austria)
Nationality:: Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

Karl Zierhofer formally lived with his parents. He had a brother, Johann Zierhofer, who also served during World War 2 and a sister who passed away at a young age.

Career:
February 12th, 1940: Reichsarbeitsdienst (RDA);
December 8th, 1942: Panzergrenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon 73;
?: 4. Kompanie, Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 17;
?: 6. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 126;
?: 1. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 126.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:: MG-Schütze, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 126, 23. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 4th, 1944

On the 08.08.1944 the Soviets advanced with strong forces into the town of Podleszany (located west of Mielec). The I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 126 launched a counterattack that pushed the Soviets out of the city, but it was stopped when it came within range of the Soviet heavy weapons. The Soviets then renewed their attack and drove the Germans back to Podleszany.

At this moment Gefreiter Zierhofer, a German machine-gunner in the 1./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 126, dashed across an open street and crawled one hundred yards closer to an Soviet-held collective farm. From there he eliminated a Soviet MG nest and its crew, and with his fire support his comrades were able to move within assault distance of the farm. Zierhofer then took part in the final attack, and while firing his MG from the hip he and his comrades took control of the collective farm in close combat. The seizure of this position enabled his Kompanie to succeed in capturing its attack objective.

For his decisive influence on the course of this battle, Zierhofer was awarded the Knight's Cross.