Mathes, Josef

Date of birth:: February 4th, 1908 (Asch/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:: September 19th, 1944 (Arnhem, Netherlands)
Buried on:: German War Graves Bocholt
Plot: E1. Row: 13. Grave: 196.
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: June 16th, 1941

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 19th, 1942

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Jäger
Unit:: 2. / Sturm-Artillerie-Abteilung191 (motorisiert)
Awarded on:: August 25th, 1943

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Jäger
Unit:: Zugführer 3. / Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 280
Awarded on:: October 4th, 1944

Oberwachtmeister Mathes participated in the fighting around Arnhem as a Sturmgeschütz Zugführer, in which he fought at the head of multiple German counterattacks. On his own initiative he took advantage of a weakness in the tough British resistance and was able to conduct a fierce attack. He succeeded in breaking through to a strategically important crossroads. As he continued the attack past this point Mathes and his whole crew were killed in action. He would however be recognized for his successes with the award of the Knight’s Cross.

Awarded posthumously.