Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

September 24th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

March 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

March 20th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

March 27th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 16.(Pioniere) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Deutschland”, 2. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich”, SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

April 3rd, 1943

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

“SS-Untersturmführer Macher has distinguished himself throughout the eastern campaign of 1941/42. He and his 16.(Pionier)Kp./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’ then brought about a series of outstanding feats-of-arms during the defensive combat in the Oskol sector in February 1943. These significantly contributed to the tactical accomplishments of the entire SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’.

Macher and his Kompanie repeatedly showed commendable bravery whilst conducting mine-clearing and patrol operations during the pursuit battles from Krassnograd to Kharkov.

During an armoured attack against Pawlograd (which saw the bulk of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Der Führer’, the staff of SS-Division ‘Das Reich’ and Macher’s 16./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’ committed), Macher gathered up his Kompanie on his own initiative, eliminated 2 hostile tanks, forced the remaining 10 to withdraw and eliminated the majority of 2 enemy companies.

On the 11.03.1943 Macher received the task of launching an assault operation with his Kompanie without the support of heavy weapons. He and his men were to seize the anti-tank ditch west of Kharkov before using a Panzer-Pionier-Zug to create a crossing for our Panzer troops to thrust into Kharkov itself. Macher entered into the anti-tank ditch, eliminate those hostile MG nests located there and took control of a favourable point that could serve as a crossing for the totally iced-over anti-tank ditch.

Then he acted beyond the confines of his original mission. Macher decided to immediately storm beyond the tank ditch into the enemy positions along the edge of Kharkov. He sought to eliminate the heavy machine-gun nests in the houses and armoured cupolas located here and then knock out the hostile Pakfront located just behind them. These well dug-in anti-tank guns occupied commanding positions, and on the 11.03.1943 they had prevented the forward advance of our Panzer forces that were also being hampered by the anti-tank ditch.

Macher and his 32-man strong Kompanie seized cupola after cupola and house after house in close combat, and they knocked out those enemy weapons that had been brought into position there.

Macher then held this penetration against several hostile counterthrusts (some of which had to be defeated in hand-to-hand combat). During this operation Macher distinguished himself through his outstanding bravery and fearlessness.

The initiative displayed by SS-Untersturmführer Macher opened up the way to Kharkov for the bulk of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division ‘Das Reich’ at an unexpectedly early stage. This helped to lay the groundwork for the swift and relatively bloodless occupation of the city of Kharkov itself.

Particularly worthy of note is that Macher employed his Kompanie in such a way that it was able to conclude the fighting with very few losses despite being involved in fierce close combat.”

1393rd Award - recommendation dated 21.03.1943 and signed by Div. Fhr. Kurt Brasack; approved by Korps Kom. Gen. Paul Hausser; presented by Hans Jüttner

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 16.(Pioniere) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Deutschland”, 2. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich”, SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

April 6th, 1943

other sources give 13.03.1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

April 12th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

August 12th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

November 17th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 16.(Pioniere) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland”, 2. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich”, SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

August 7th, 1944

recommendation dated 20.07.1944 and signed by Rgt. Kdr. Günther-Eberhard Wisliceny; approved by Div. Kdr. Heinz Lammerding, 23.07.1944

Award 604/1.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 16.(Pioniere) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland”, 2. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich”, II. SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe B

Awarded on:

August 19th, 1944

Macher’s Oakleaves recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Obersturmführer Macher and his 16./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3 ‘Deutschland’ have significantly contributed to the tactical victories of the Regiment throughout the time that Macher has commanded the unit. In every situation he has distinguished himself through his personal bravery and inspired every one of his men through his example in battle. He has also seen notable success as a trainer of troops, and has demonstrated clear talent in being able to transform his SS-men into especially motivated and aggressive soldiers.

During the time period 09.-17.07.1944 the 16./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3 ‘Deutschland’ served as a ready reserve for Kampfgruppe Wisliceny.

In these days the enemy carried out a total of 64 probes and attacks against the frontline of the Kampfgruppe (of which 53 had armour support). The enemy were able to break into the frontline 37 times, and 37 times they were thrown back via counterthrusts.

Of these counterthrusts, Macher personally organized and carried out a total of 29 with a Kompanie reserve consisting of 1 squad and the Kompanie HQ. On every occasion he was able to eject the foe from the frontline thanks to his prudent leadership and exceptional aggressiveness.

SS-Obersturmführer played a leading role in holding the position until it was later evacuated. Macher would even provide the rearguard that managed to guarantee an orderly withdrawal and occupation of the new frontline.

The counterthrusts were carried out at the following times:

09.07.1944 18:25
10.07.1944 09:15, 11:22, 12:17, 17:40, 19:32, 20:45
11.07.1944 10:37, 16:12, 18:28
12.07.1944 15:20, 15:55, 17:42, 19:10
13.07.1944 08:20, 10:25, 12:15
15.07.1944 09:18, 11:05, 13:55, 18:42, 20:10
16.07.1944 13:25, 15:50
17.07.1944 18:30, 19:25, 21:10, 22:00, 22:55

Only Macher’s endurance in this combat enabled it to be concluded successfully. The achievements that he rendered were extraordinary.”

544th Award - recommendation dated 21.07.1944 and signed by Div. Kdr. Heinz Lammerding; approved by Korps Kom. Gen. Paul Hausser

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Kompaniechef, 16. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 'Deutschland'

Awarded on:

October 18th, 1944