- 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.