Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 25th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 27th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 27th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Unit:

SS-Kampfgruppe 'Fegelein', Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

January 15th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Führer, Kampfgruppe 'Diergarten', 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division, Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

November 7th, 1943

2457th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Ia, 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division, Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

January 16th, 1944

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

“SS-Sturmbannführer Diergarten has already been reported to the Reichsführer-SS as being worthy of the Knight’s Cross for his various bold actions as a troop commander as well as his outstanding initiative as a Kampfgruppe commander. These deeds took place after his German Cross in Gold recommendation from the 23.12.1942, and led to a decisive success. They led to a prevention of a breakthrough by the 58th Russian Rifle Corps (with its subordinated tank elements, including a tank corps) up until the 14.01.1943, which in turn significantly delayed the breakthrough to Kharkov.

During the time period 28.-30.12.1942 the Russians launched repeated assault waves with a tenfold superiority against the Kampfgruppe, which was heavily decimated and had pulled back to Michalowka. Diergarten fought at the head of his Kampfgruppe, and through his own swift and boldly-led counterthrusts he repelled the enemy attacks at Molot (28.12.1942), Mitrowka (29.12.1942) and Passjukowa (30.12.1942). These decisions were all made on his own (as all contact with the Korps had been severed due to rampaging enemy tanks), and were of great importance for the overall situation.

On the 09.09.1943 the Russians launched an attack with strong infantry and tank forces against the sector of Reiter-Regiment 2, which was located south of 2 small forests (the Bereka position). At the time the Regiment no longer had contact with the right neighbour. Diergarten received reports that this attack would lead to a breakthrough into the depths of our territory, and perceived that only lightning-swift action could contain this penetration. More importantly, he knew the importance of preventing the obvious hostile objective to turn left (Izyum) and roll up the front from the rear.

At the time the divisional commander was at the left-wing Regiment of the Division, and since Diergarten could not contact him at the time he decided to personally intervene. He immediately proceeded to the point of break-in (located about 1.5 km from the divisional command post), rallied the heavily scattered friendly elements located there and subordinated 2 self-propelled 7.5 cm anti-tank guns. With these men he attacked the much larger enemy force that had broken in on his own initiative, leading at the head of his troops with cries of ‘Hurra’. His heroic attitude inspired his hodgepodge of troops to give it their best, and with them he resolved the situation. Prisoner statements confirmed that the enemy had intended to achieve a breakthrough and roll up the front towards the south, however this was prevented thanks to Diergarten’s initiative. His responsible actions averted an imminent danger for the continued existence of the Donez front.”

Vorschlag dated 1-12-1943 and signed by Div.Fhr. Bruno Streckenbach.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)