Meißner, Joachim

Date of birth:: October 15th, 1911 (Freystadt, Germany)
Date of death:: July 25th, 1944 (St.Jean-de-Faye, France)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Marigny
Plot: 4. Row: 40. Grave: 1552.
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve
Unit:: Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch"
Awarded on:: May 12th, 1940

During the German airborne operation against the crossings over the Albert Canal on 10.05.1940, the Sturmgruppe “Eisen”, which had the objective of the bridge at Canne, landed near the bridge successfully but failed to prevent its being blown up by the Belgians. As the Gruppe commander (Leutnant Schächter) had been badly wounded in the early stages Leutnant Meißner took command in his stead.

In light of the new situation Meißner lead his men to the village of Eben Emael, which was captured by 10:30. Meißner and his men then held the village against strong enemy attacks from the south until reinforcements arrived near the end of the day. During this battle the Gruppe had killed about 150 enemy soldiers, wounded 50 more and taken 150 prisoners. In turn they had suffered losses of 22 dead and 26 wounded. For his well-handled leadership of the Gruppe despite its setbacks, Meißner would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.