Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138, 3. Gebirgs-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 30th, 1943

Awarded for his actions at Heidelberg on the 26.09.1943. The following press article (dated 17.11.1943) describes these as follows…

“Never before had the Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon (commanded by Major Julius Grund, a native of Vienna) endured such a drumfire, one that saw the Soviets plaster a village southwest of Zaporozhye held by the Bataillon with hundreds of Katyushas and artillery pieces of all calibers. Even as the bombardment was still being conducted strong Soviet forces thrusted to the southern village edge in order to attack the positions of the Gebirgsjäger. In response the commander and a few squads (made up of messengers and signals troops from the Bataillon command post as well as reserves) threw themselves against the enemy. Before they were able to recognize the situation and resist it properly at the entrance to the village, the foe was put to flight. The Soviets were considerably bloodied in the process, leaving behind numerous prisoners and weapons.

In the following days the Soviets repeatedly tried to capture this cornerstone of the German line, but all attempts were in vain. Major Grund, who frequently intervened in the fighting at the head of his Gebirgsjäger, was awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross as previously reported.”