- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Chef, 8. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 123, 50. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- May 15th, 1943
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 26.05.1943) describes why Meinhold received the Knight’s Cross…
“Oberleutnant Dr. Meinhold has stood out among the ranks of the Infanterie-Regiment Neustettin. Following a dangerous enemy penetration at the Kuban bridgehead he managed to restore the situation at the head of only 40 men.”
This action took place on the night of 25-26.03.1943, when the frontline of the 50. Infanterie-Division came under a fierce Soviet bombardment that lasted throughout the night and the following morning. After this was finished the Soviet infantry attacked at 13:00, but were repulsed. They renewed their attack with additional forces, but were once again stopped in front of the German minefields.
A new Soviet force of 24 tanks with mounted infantry then took their turn to attack. German artillery and MG fire managed to separate the infantry from the tanks. Divisional and corps reserves were dispatched to the area but by the time they arrived the situation had already been dealt with. Oberleutnant Meinhold had assembled parts of his Kompanie and the battalion reserve of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 122 and launched an energetic counterattack. The Soviet infantry and 6 tanks were eliminated and a further 8 tanks immobilized. Only 2 enemy tanks were ultimately able to escape.