Brosow, Siegfried (Waffen SS)
- Date of birth:
- December 10th, 1918 (Steinfelde/East Prussia, Germany)
- Date of death:
- November 18th, 2008 (Oberkotzau/Bavaria, Germany)
- Service number:
- SS-Nr.: 353.059 // NSDAP-Nr.:
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Promotions:
January 30th, 1942: SS-Obersturmführer;
June 21st, 1943: SS-Hauptsturmführer.
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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
- Awarded on:
- June 3rd, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
- Unit:
- 2. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon
- Awarded on:
- December 5th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
- Awarded on:
- March 27th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
- Unit:
- 2. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon
- Awarded on:
- March 27th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- 1. SS-Pionier-Bataillon "Das Reich"
- Awarded on:
- July 20th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Chef, 1. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon "Das Reich", 2. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"
- Awarded on:
- September 8th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- 1. SS-Pionier-Bataillon "Das Reich"
- Awarded on:
- October 15th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- 1. SS-Pionier-Bataillon "Das Reich"
- Awarded on:
- October 15th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Chef, 1. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 2, 2. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"
- Awarded on:
- November 13th, 1943
Brosow’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…
“SS-Hauptsturmführer Brosow had the mission of using his Kompanie for boundary security in a reserve position between the SS-Pz.A.A. ‘Das Reich’ and the Grenadier-Regiment 344. He was to hold the southwestern extension of Hill 188.3 (located forward of the forest north of Kraschanitschen) and prevent any enemy penetration at this hotspot of the front.
The Soviets laid down strong artillery, mortar and Katyusha fire against both this position and the defensive position located 500 metres to the north of it. After this, during the midday hours of the 13.09.1943, they came against the positions in this sector with strong tank support.
Although the rightly positioned SS-Pz.A.A. ‘Das Reich’ managed to defeat this armoured attack and destroy all the enemy tanks, the enemy managed to achieved a penetration in the sector of the III./344. They managed to penetrate into and occupy the trench position along a breadth of 1200 metres. The enemy then continued forward against the reserve position with 2 companies, however they were pinned down under the fire of the defending 1. Kompanie. They tried several times to press forward against the road and forest, however every time they were repulsed.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, SS-Hauptsturmführer Brosow made the independent decision to leave behind weak security elements in his ordered reserve position and then eject the enemy forces via a flank attack through the trenches. He also intended to cut off and destroy those broken-through hostile elements that had advanced beyond the position towards the forest edge.
Along with about 45 men he pushed through the enemy’s artillery fire and entered into the trenches. Fighting with machine-pistols and hand grenades, the previously lost position was recaptured meter by meter in a bout of ferocious close combat.
Heavy losses and steadily growing enemy resistance did not permit an immediate reestablishment of contact with the right neighbour. The enemy still occupied about 500 metres of trenches, and these could not be ejected with the forces at hand.
However this last act was later accomplished via a deliberate attack with artillery and Nebelwerfer support. Fighting with flamethrowers and assault units, the same Kompanie under the brave leadership of SS-Hauptsturmführer Brosow undertook this deed in an energetic night attack on the same day.
In the process the broken-through enemy elements were totally destroyed, and 2 battalions in position behind them were smashed. Over 50 enemy dead, 15 prisoners and abundant equipment were counted in this system of fieldworks. Furthermore 45 enemy tanks were destroyed on this day alone in this combat sector, a testament to the ferocity of the combat. The terrain in the area gave the enemy an upper hand throughout the battle. They had commanded a dominant height southwest of Perekop, and had hoped to achieve a breakthrough at this position through strong employment of firepower.
A decisive result of the combat here was the prevention of a Russian breakthrough at this boundary position, something which would have led to the splintering of the Division’s frontline. Brosow had laid the groundwork for the ultimate elimination of this penetration through his brave devotion to duty and the success of his Kompanie, and by doing so he solidified the invaluable defensive front in this sector.”
Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis handed over on November 17th, 1943.
“SS-Hauptsturmführer Brosow had the mission of using his Kompanie for boundary security in a reserve position between the SS-Pz.A.A. ‘Das Reich’ and the Grenadier-Regiment 344. He was to hold the southwestern extension of Hill 188.3 (located forward of the forest north of Kraschanitschen) and prevent any enemy penetration at this hotspot of the front.
The Soviets laid down strong artillery, mortar and Katyusha fire against both this position and the defensive position located 500 metres to the north of it. After this, during the midday hours of the 13.09.1943, they came against the positions in this sector with strong tank support.
Although the rightly positioned SS-Pz.A.A. ‘Das Reich’ managed to defeat this armoured attack and destroy all the enemy tanks, the enemy managed to achieved a penetration in the sector of the III./344. They managed to penetrate into and occupy the trench position along a breadth of 1200 metres. The enemy then continued forward against the reserve position with 2 companies, however they were pinned down under the fire of the defending 1. Kompanie. They tried several times to press forward against the road and forest, however every time they were repulsed.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, SS-Hauptsturmführer Brosow made the independent decision to leave behind weak security elements in his ordered reserve position and then eject the enemy forces via a flank attack through the trenches. He also intended to cut off and destroy those broken-through hostile elements that had advanced beyond the position towards the forest edge.
Along with about 45 men he pushed through the enemy’s artillery fire and entered into the trenches. Fighting with machine-pistols and hand grenades, the previously lost position was recaptured meter by meter in a bout of ferocious close combat.
Heavy losses and steadily growing enemy resistance did not permit an immediate reestablishment of contact with the right neighbour. The enemy still occupied about 500 metres of trenches, and these could not be ejected with the forces at hand.
However this last act was later accomplished via a deliberate attack with artillery and Nebelwerfer support. Fighting with flamethrowers and assault units, the same Kompanie under the brave leadership of SS-Hauptsturmführer Brosow undertook this deed in an energetic night attack on the same day.
In the process the broken-through enemy elements were totally destroyed, and 2 battalions in position behind them were smashed. Over 50 enemy dead, 15 prisoners and abundant equipment were counted in this system of fieldworks. Furthermore 45 enemy tanks were destroyed on this day alone in this combat sector, a testament to the ferocity of the combat. The terrain in the area gave the enemy an upper hand throughout the battle. They had commanded a dominant height southwest of Perekop, and had hoped to achieve a breakthrough at this position through strong employment of firepower.
A decisive result of the combat here was the prevention of a Russian breakthrough at this boundary position, something which would have led to the splintering of the Division’s frontline. Brosow had laid the groundwork for the ultimate elimination of this penetration through his brave devotion to duty and the success of his Kompanie, and by doing so he solidified the invaluable defensive front in this sector.”
Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis handed over on November 17th, 1943.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Chef, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon "Das Reich"
- Awarded on:
- April 13th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Stabskompanie, SS-Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 2
- Awarded on:
- June 1st, 1944
Sources
- Photo 1: STIWOT
- Photo: Hlynur Lind Leifsson
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2012.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- SCHNEIDER, J.W., Their Honor Was Loyalty!, Bender (R.James) Publishing, 1993.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Yerger M.C., German Cross in Gold
- Verleihungsurkunde EK1, Ostfront
- Besitzzeugnis Verwundeten Silber, Verwundeten Gold, ISA, NKSiS
- Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis DKiG, RK
- Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.
Photo
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