Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer 11. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143

Awarded on:

October 28th, 1944

The following newspaper article (dated 23.12.1944) describes why Ropp received the Knight’s Cross…

“Knight’s Cross Holder Oberfeldwebel Ropp:

… Oberfeldwebel Max Ropp… received this high honour because of the brave devotion to duty he demonstrated during the withdrawal movements by our forces from the Polar Front. On the 13.10.1944 this Kärntner Oberfeldwebel led a sally with his Zug into the flank of a Soviet regiment. Despite receiving powerful defensive fire, they managed to check this regiment’s attack in such a way that the rest of the Bataillon was able to hold its position. A day later, after the Kompanie commander had become a casualty, he [Ropp] created a bridgehead across the Petsamojoki on his own initiative and held it against multiple strong enemy attacks. Thus, through his independent resolve and ruthless dedication to the fighting, the Oberfeldwebel enabled his Regimentsgruppe to pull back out of the Petsamo bridgehead.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)