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Niederländer, Horst

Date of birth:
April 1st, 1908 (Sensburg/Eastprussia, Germany)
Date of death:
April 24th, 1944 (Sevastopol/Crimea, Soviet Union)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Was posthumously promoted to Oberst.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Führer I. / Grenadier-Regiment 686
Awarded on:
February 10th, 1943
Following the capture of the village O. (on the Chir river) a force of 60-70 Soviet tanks attacked Niederländer’s Bataillon. Since no foxholes were available, everyone lay still and let the tanks overrun them. The Bataillon then engaged the Soviet infantry and held them at bay at a range of 300 meters. The Soviet tanks mulled around the Bataillon’s positions for some three hours before finally pulling back.

The same phenomena repeated itself five days later during a new Soviet attack with 16 tanks. Two days after this the Soviets gave up attacking in this sector, having failed to gain any ground. For the bravery shown by his Bataillon, as well as his own conduct during this fighting, Niederländer was decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
I. / Grenadier-Regiment 686
Awarded on:
April 21st, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Füsilier-Bataillon 336
Awarded on:
June 9th, 1944
Major Niederländer was commander of the Füsilier-Bataillon 336 during April 1944. During this time, on the northern front of the Sevastopol defensive ring, he cleaned up an Soviet penetration at the positions of the neighbouring unit. In the process he was heavily wounded, and would succumb to his injures on the 24.04.1944. He would be recommended for the Oakleaves two days later on account of the described action, and ended up receiving the award posthumously.

491st Award.
Awarded posthumously.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 20th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 3rd, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Sources

Photo