Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Panzerjäger-Kompanie, SS-Polizei-Division

Awarded on:

June 16th, 1940

other sources indicate 14.06.1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Panzerjäger-Kompanie, SS-Polizei-Division

Awarded on:

June 19th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 14. Kompanie, Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 2, SS-Polizei-Division

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1941

WIA 05.08.1941
other sources indicate awarded the 15.08.1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 14. Kompanie, Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 2, SS-Polizei-Division

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1941

Version in Silver.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 14. Kompanie, Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 2, SS-Polizei-Division

Awarded on:

December 24th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer / Major der Schutzpolizei

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, SS-Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 2, SS-Polizei-Division

Awarded on:

May 15th, 1942

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

“Major Dörner, commander of the II./SS-Pol.-Schützen-Regiment 2, has especially distinguished himself on multiple occasions since being awarded the German Cross in Gold.

1.) On the 27.01.1942 he led an assault operation deep into the enemy’s defensive network along the defensive front before Leningrad. 58 enemy bunkers and fighting positions were destroyed during this operation, leading to it eventually being mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht.

2.) In the time period 10.02.-04.03.1942 Major Dörner and his Bataillon were deployed as an independent Kampfgruppe in the pocket west of the road. Their task was to intercept the enemy’s push to the northwest and cut off the Russian supply route.

The Bataillon was able to succeed in its mission thanks to the exemplary dedication, leadership and bravery of its commander. It constantly fought its way forwards through thick forests and chest-high snow, and all with relatively minor losses and casualties due to frostbite. It ultimately captured Nesterkowo and Glubowo (17.02.1942), Saokino (18.02.1942), the forest base 2 km northeast of Saokino (20.02.1942) and the military base 1 km south of Konatschki (21.02.1942). Already on the 26.02.1942 Kampfgruppe Dörner succeeded in thrusting from Glubotschka along the railway embankment towards Krassnaja Forka, and from there blocked the Russian supply route (see sketch no. 1).

A letter of appreciation from the 225. Infanterie-Division concerning the operation of this Bataillon is included among the attachments (attachment 1).

3.) Major Dörner and his Bataillon were deployed as the lead attacking group during the advance of the SS-Polizei-Division to close the frontline gap between Spaskaja Police and Mjassnoj Borwurde. Major Dörner and his Bataillon worked their way forwards through thick undergrowth and knee deep snow, and at 20:30 on the first attack day (15.03.1942) they already reported that they had captured a Russian forest camp near Point 659 (see sketch no. 2). Immediate Russian counterthrusts up until the morning hours of the following day were successfully repelled. By 23:00 on the same day the Bataillon had reached Point 667, and from here it could finally receive friendly resupply for the first time.

On the 17.-18.03.1942 the Bataillon fought its way through to the south, and along the way avoided heavy Russian attacks from the southeast by shifting its own axis of advance towards the west. Following constant combat it reached the area around Point 692, the ordered attack objective, at 10:40 on the 19.03.1942. With this the Russian supply route was blocked, and a defense was set up facing towards the east and west.

Thus, after 5 days of constantly being on the attack, Major Dörner and his troops had successfully fought their way through to the ordered attack objective. But now, correctly appreciating the overall state of affairs, he made the bold decision to continue thrusting southwards with all available forces. He subordinated the foremost elements of the I./SS-Pol.Schtz.Rgt. 1 as well as 2 Panzers, and with this force he fought through to the main Russian supply corridor. Here he captured a supply base of the Russian 305th rifle division (see attachment 2). After creating a security/defensive line facing south, west and east he continued towards the south with the ski troops of his Bataillon. At a point 400 metres south of Point 1602 he linked up with the attack spearhead of Gruppe Süd (58. Infanterie-Division) along a streambed.

Thus, through the independent decision to carry on beyond the ordered attack objective, contact was established with the XXXVIII. Armee-Korps at 16:40 on the 19.03.1942. Thanks to the extraordinary energy and bravery of Major Dörner, the encirclement of the 2nd Russian Shock Army was completed following 5 days of ceaseless combat.

I therefore deem Major Dörner as being particularly worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross on the grounds of this great achievement, brought about through his initiative, exceptional qualities of leadership and bravery.”

The attachment 2 referenced in the recommendation is a tally of the Bataillon’s booty during some of the aforementioned engagements, and it reads as follows…

“Booty of the II./SS-Pol.Schtz.-Rgt. 2:

a) 15.03.1942 - Forest camp at Point 659

- 4 light infantry guns with limbers
- 1 anti-tank gun (3.7 cm)
- 1 anti-tank gun (3.7 cm, German type without wheels)
- 1 field dressing station with equipment
- 1 field workshop with equipment
- 1 wheelwright
- 20 horse harnesses
- 20 saddles
- 6 field kitchens with limbers
- 1 box of tools for leather working
- 1 crude oil motor
- 20 sacks of shoes and horseshoes
- 12 ethnic vehicles
- 5 sleighs
- Instruments for a musical band
- 3 cases of communications equipment
- Numerous additional materiel and ammunition

b) 19.03.1942 - Supply camp of the Russian 305th rifle division at Point 1602

- 33 trucks
- 1 car
- 2 motorcycles
- 2 tractors
- 4 motorized sleds
- 25 sleds
- 28 ethnic vehicles
- 86 horses
- 23 oil containers, each with 100 litres
- 180 rifles
- 1 heavy machine-gun
- 1 light machine-gun
- 1 machine-pistol
- 2 mortars
- 150 pairs of skis
- Over 1000 loaves of bread
- 70 cases of butter
- 100 sacks of oats
- 200 hay bales
- Miscellaneous other supplies.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer / Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 8, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division

Awarded on:

September 24th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Standartenführer (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 8, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1944

Dörner’s Oakleaves recommendation reads as follows…

“After being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross on the 15.05.1942, Dörner and a Kampfgruppe were used along the Volkhov up until the 08.07.1942 to help destroy the encircled Soviet 2nd Shock Army. Despite the difficult weather and terrain conditions the Kampfgruppe ended up playing a major role in the great success of this battle of annihilation thanks to the prudent and inspiring leadership of its commander.

In the time period 08.07.-02.09.1942 Dörner was employed at the encirclement ring around Leningrad as a Bataillon and acting regimental commander. Dörner was the soul of resistance in every successful defensive battle, and was a shining example of bravery and devotion to duty for his officers and men in every situation while at the hotspots of the fighting. From February to May 1943 SS-Standartenführer Dörner served as a regimental commander along the Newa river, before Leningrad. Here all Soviet breakthrough attempts were similarly prevented despite their much greater numbers. Strengthened by their successes south of Lake Ladoga, the Russians also tried to achieve success in the sector of Dörner’s regiment via continual attacks. They constantly threw in new forces, but in vain. The Regiment held its positions and inflicted high losses on the enemy. Wherever strong enemy forces were able to temporarily penetrate the lines SS-Standartenführer Dörner would enter the scene and retake the old frontline with the last reserves. This was especially the case during a penetration on the 23.02.1943, east of the mouth of the Tossna river. This resolution of this situation was recognized through a mention in the Wehrmachtbericht. This success can be credited to the purposeful and skillful leadership of the commander, as well as his personal bravery.

After refitting and motorizing the Regiment was deployed for anti-partisan warfare in Serbia (July-August 1943) and Greece (September 1943 to August 1944). Dörner’s Regiment was heavily involved in the great successes of the Division. Of particular note are the operations:

In the Karpenission area (04.-15.11.1943)
In the Vermion mountains (21.04.-05.05.1944)
In the Grevena area (27.05.-08.06.1944)
In the Agrinion area (27.07.-18.08.1944)

Throughout these operations Dörner repeatedly led his Regiment from success to success through his skillful tactical leadership, all while tirelessly working for the achievement of the mission. Through this he created important preconditions for the sustainment of vital supply roads in the Grecian region.

During the operations of the Division in the Romanian Banat and southern Hungary Dörner was thrust into the heaviest fighting on the 20.09.1944 as commander of a Kampfgruppe. In the area northwest of Temeschburg Dörner and his Kampfgruppe laid the groundwork for the construction of a defensive front through a bold attack of their own. Despite strong enemy resistance the Kampfgruppe thrust northwards up to the Maros river, and in doing so cut off those enemy forces south of the river that were already advancing westwards. The Kampfgruppe withstood all enemy relief attacks from the east (conducted with a great superiority in men and materiel) with weak forces of its own, while at the same time the bulk of the Kampfgruppe largely destroyed the encircled enemy elements and captured their equipment. With this the major Russian effort to thrust towards Szeged from the southeast came to naught. Throughout this fighting, as well as the subsequent ordered withdrawal withdrawal movements, Dörner always stood as an outstanding leader and fighter wherever it was necessary to overcome a crisis and take advantage of initial successes. It was only as a result of this that the exhausted officers and men were inspired to totally devote themselves to their duties.

During the successful battles east of Szolnok a Bataillon of the Regiment was temporarily encircled on the 14./15.10.1944. Relief attempts failed, and the Russians conducted continual attacks in order to eliminate the encircled forces. When radio contact broke down Dörner drove alone through the strong enemy encirclement ring in his SPW to the encircled men. There he gave the necessary orders and instructions for a breakout, which succeeded without requiring to abandon any wounded men or equipment.

On the 20.10.1944 a part of the Regiment attacked Kenderes. The other, second part of the Regiment had the mission to advance north of the road and thrust into the village from the north. Through timely combat reconnaissance dispatched by the regimental commander it was possible to determine the presence of strong enemy forces with heavy weapons south of the railroad in the open right flank of the Regiment. SS-Standartenführer Dörner immediately resolved to have the second regimental unit turn towards the south. Its new mission was to immediately attack and destroy this enemy in order to crush this dangerous flank threat once and for all. The attack was supported by 8 Panzer VIs, but due to the wet and slick clay soil the Tigers only advanced forwards very slowly. The dispatching of heavy weapons was likewise almost impossible. The brunt of the combat would therefore fall to the handful of available infantry.

The severe enemy defensive fire, above all by their heavy weapons, threatened to bring the attack to a halt. Realizing the situation, SS-Standartenführer Dörner placed himself at the head of his troops, inspired them forwards and thrusted through as far as the positions of the enemy’s heavy field howitzers. During this skillfully led attack by SS-Standartenführer Dörner it was not only possible to inflict high losses on the Russian infantry. In conjunction with the Tigers the attack also succeeded in advancing far beyond the enemy’s regimental artillery up to the heavy artillery, which was either destroyed or captured.

Standartenführer Dörner is a superior commander with high soldierly virtues, which have so far done him well on every occasion and enabled him to master every trying situation. Dörner distinguishes himself through his inspiring bravery, fervent optimism and tireless readiness for duty.

His troops love and venerate him, declaring that: ‘Things go forward wherever our commander is.’

I hold Dörner as particularly worthy of the high award of the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”

650th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)

Unit:

Führer, Kampfgruppe, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division, IX. Waffen-Gebirgs-Armeekorps der SS (9.)

Awarded on:

February 1st, 1945

Awarded for his achievements while leading a Kampfgruppe in Budapest.

129th Award.