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Mikosch, Hans

Date of birth:
January 7th, 1898 (Kattowitz/Oberschlesien, Germany (now Poland)
Date of death:
January 18th, 1993 (Reichshof/Westfalen, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 19th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 14th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon 51
Awarded on:
May 21st, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Mikosch received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberstleutnant Mikosch fearlessly led his Bataillon through fortified and toughly defended enemy positions in order to relieve the brave conquerors of Fort Eben-Emael. It was the successful completion of this deed which enabled the Fort to definitively come under our control. Such high recognition of this action is simultaneously tribute to the efforts and outstanding achievements of the entire German Pionierwaffe.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst
Unit:
Pionier-Regiment 677
Awarded on:
November 13th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Pionier-Regiment-Stab z.b.V. 677 und Führer eine Kampfgruppe im Raum Stalin
Awarded on:
March 6th, 1943
Following his Kampfgruppe’s retreat from the Kalatsch bridgehead, Mikosch and his troops reached the Chir railway station on the 24.11.1942. Here they were subordinated to the staff of the 384. Infanterie-Division, which at the time commanded several other Kampfgruppen during the initial German efforts to patch up the front following the Soviet Operation Uranus.

With the courage of desperation, this Kampfgruppe fought near Werch. Tschirskij (in the Chir-Don triangle) for the next four weeks against Soviet tank and infantry attacks. On the 14.12.1942 the newly arrived Soviet 7th Tank Corps launched a fresh attack. With 30 tanks it broke through the German positions on both sides of Werch. Tschirskij and even penetrated into the village itself. In the ensuing battle Kampfgruppe Mikosch was able to destroy 20 enemy tanks despite losing almost all of its anti-tank weapons in the process. The situation was however still critical for the Kampfgruppe, which could not hold on much longer. However the Armee finally decided to pull back the front at the last minute and evacuate the Chir-Don triangle on the night of 15.12.1942.

The steadfastness of Kampfgruppe Mikosch had been crucial in the German defensive efforts up to this time. Through its efforts the Soviets were prevented from rolling up the entire Chir defensive front towards the west. In recognition of his efforts during this most difficult time, Mikosch would be decorated with the Oakleaves.

201st Aeard
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
June 12th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1918
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)

Sources

Photo