Date of birth:

December 15th, 1916 (Metten/Bavaria, Germany)

Date of death:

January 14th, 1974 (Metten/Bavaria, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Johann Bauer sometimes is referred to as Josef Bauer.

15.11.1938: entered the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99
1939: Gefreiter der Reserve - campaign in Poland
1940: campaign in France
1941: campaign in the Balkans
06.1941: campaign in Russia
1942: promoted to Oberjäger der Reserve
26-27.05.1942: distinguished himself blocking a soviet breakthrough during the night near Bakscharnowka
27.06.1942: awarded the Ritterkreuz
17.09.1942: promoted to Feldwebel der Reserve
31.05.1944: WIA and sent to a Lazarett
15.07.1944: returned to the 1./ Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Bataillon 96
He was not posted to a front position anymore until the end of the war.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberjäger der Reserve

Unit:

sMG-Gruppenführer 6. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99 / 1.Gebirgs-Division

Awarded on:

June 27th, 1942

Awarded for his actions during the Second Battle of Kharkov. These are described in the following wartime excerpt as follows…

“The accounts by his Kompanie and Bataillon commanders speak for themselves. On the night of the 26./27.05.1942 the encircled Russian armies tried to break through towards the east and southeast in the direction of Bakscharnowka. In this context Oberjäger Bauer brought about an outstanding deed of bravery at an operationally decisive point while all alone and on his own initiative.”

The following press excerpt, dated 07.07.1942, provides some additional detail as to these actions…

“Oberjäger Johann Bauer was born on the 15.12.1916 in Metten (Lower Bavaria) as the son of farmer Josef Bauer. He outstandingly distinguished himself through his bravery, battlefield courage and readiness for duty while defending against an attack by massive enemy forces along the middle Donez. He defended himself during the night in heroic close combat, and after he had run out of ammunition he continued to fight with captured enemy firearms and melee weapons. An impending enemy breakthrough was prevented here thanks to his tough endurance.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 14th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

in silver

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo: Bauer
  - Bauer, Johann : B
  
• - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945.
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum
  - Johann Bauer (soldier) | Military Wiki | Fandom