Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 12th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 29th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 18th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 4th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 17th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

8. Batterie, III. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 24, 24. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 22nd, 1944

According to Patzwall / Scherzer the name is Rudi.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 23rd, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 6. Batterie, II. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 24, 24. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1945

Müller’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 23.03.1945 (during the 6th Battle of Courland) the II./A.R. 24 was deployed to the area south of Remte and assigned to support the SS-Gren.Rgt. 43 (lett.). In the previous days the enemy had employed massive amounts of men and materiel in order to seize the decisive crossroads at Remte and thereby force a breakthrough of the German defensive front.

Oberleutnant Müller (commander of the 6./A.R. 24) and his observation post were present at the epicentre of the defensive battle near Beki (located south of Remte). The persistent enemy attacks on the 22.03.1945 had resulted in heavy losses for the foe, however they did push the frontline back to the vicinity of the 6./A.R. 24’s observation post.

At around 07:00 on the 23.03.1945 the enemy commenced another major attack with significant air and armoured support. Their goal was to capture the commanding ridge upon which the 6./A.R. 24’s observation post was found. New waves of enemy infantry surged forward, first in battalion and then in regimental strength. The observation post of the 6./A.R. 24 was under continuous fire from enemy artillery, mortars, anti-tank guns and Katyushas. Oberleutnant Müller conducted a masterful defense against the enemy forces that assailed his observation post (the key strongpoint in this sector), and he smashed one attack after another through the flexible and coordinated fire of his entire Regiment.

By around 11:00 the friendly infantry forces had been significantly weakened by the strong hostile fire and the powerful enemy attacks. It was at this time that the enemy initiated a new regimental strength attack (one supported by aircraft and tanks) in order to finally secure their breakthrough. However, by coordinating the firepower of all available artillery barrels, Oberleutnant Müller was likewise able to stop this hostile attack in its tracks a mere 40 metres from his own position. 2 IS-2 tanks were destroyed by this gunfire. The observation post itself became embroiled in close-combat defense.

Yet, undeterred by the infantry battle that swirled all around him (one in which he personally participated with hand grenades and machine-pistol), he continued to direct the fire of all batteries in an exemplary fashion until an enemy anti-tank shell tore off his right foot. Oberleutnant Müller continued to direct the friendly artillery fire despite this severe injury, and he only handed over this responsibility to a Wachtmeister of his Batterie at around 12:00, when the intensity of the battle had slackened.

This commendable and brave display of duty proved enough to foil the enemy’s significant expenditure of men and materiel. They failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough towards the road junction at Remte, one which otherwise would have ripped a hole in the German defensive front and seized the single available supply road.”

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz his name is Rudi.