Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer, I. Zug, 5. Schwadron, SS-Kavallerie Regiment 1, SS-Kavallerie-Brigade

Awarded on:

December 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 24th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

May 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 6. Schwadron, SS-Reiter-Regiment 1, SS-Kavallerie-Division, Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 22nd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 25th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 6. Schwadron, SS-Kavallerie-Regiment 1, 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division 'Florian Geyer'

Awarded on:

December 26th, 1944

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

“SS-Hauptsturmführer Vandieken, who has already been awarded the German Cross in Gold for his multiple acts of bravery, has once again come to light on account of his high soldierly virtues.

After the Royal Hungarian 1st Armoured Division had pulled back its forward elements on the 06.10.1944, Kampfgruppe Ameiser (which had until then been attached to the Division) found itself alone in the Sarkad area against an overwhelming and aggressive foe. During the subsequent combat the Kampfgruppe commander, SS-Hauptsturmführer Ameiser, was separated from the main group along with about 100 men. All communication links to the higher headquarters were also severed.

In this extremely critical situation SS-Hauptsturmführer Vandieken took over control of the Kampfgruppe, which pulled back to Sarkad-Kerestur to escape the impending encirclement. Here they defended grimly against an enemy who was attacking on all sides. SS-Hauptsturmführer Vandieken, who was always present at the focal points of the fighting, realized the hopelessness of continued resistance at Sarkad-Kerestur. He thus became possessed by a single thought; to lead his Kampfgruppe through the enemy back to friendly lines with the fewest possible casualties. Therefore he decided to give up Sarkad-Kerestur in the evening hours and fight his way north over the Sebes-Körös river.

While being unsparing to himself, he demanded the utmost from his men! With this SS-Hauptsturmführer Vandieken skillfully led his Kampfgruppe while taking along all motorized and horse-drawn elements. They fought through the advancing enemy forces across the Weszte—Okany road and by morning had reached the area south of the bridge at Komadi. Having received reconnaissance reports that revealed the bridge to be controlled by the enemy, Hauptsturmführer Vandieken immediately made the independent decision to force his way through and take the bridge into possession. In the ensuing battle, which increased in ferocity as new enemy forces entered the fight, Hauptsturmführer Vandieken repeatedly inspired his men forward with his outstanding personal bravery and commitment. In the end he succeeded in crossing the bridge with some men to the opposite bank. In this battle alone 5 enemy tanks and 6 enemy anti-tank guns were knocked out.

However as the enemy dispatched new tank forces on both sides of the river, which intended to crush the bridgehead in attacks from the north, east and southeast, this ground had to be given up. The total encirclement of the Kampfgruppe was unavoidable. After the last shells had been fired, Hauptsturmführer Vandieken gave the order to destroy all guns and vehicles in order to block the enemy’s path across the bridge. The Kampfgruppe then formed a hedgehog position and defended against the constant attacks of the overwhelming enemy until the evening of this day. Hauptsturmführer Vandieken, the soul of his Kampfgruppe’s resistance, did all in his power to transmit his great force of will to his soldiers. The result was that his fanatical fighters were able to break through the enemy encirclement ring to the west and swim across the Sebes-Körös river while taking along all the lightly and heavily wounded men as well as their infantry weapons. The Kampfgruppe then advanced to the forward security line of the 23. Panzer-Division.

The decision of Hauptsturmführer Vandieken to attack the bridge south of Komadi had great implications for the military leadership of the 23. Panzer-Division, which was positioned in the area north of the bridge. His actions presented the 23. Panzer-Division with the opportunity to send elements to the south and prevent a further advance of the enemy across the river. The attack of this Kampfgruppe against the bridge tied down strong enemy forces and enabled decisive countermeasures to be taken on the side of the 23. Panzer-Division.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Vandieken is especially worthy of the high award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1944