- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberst (Colonel)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur 6.Schützen-Brigade / 6.Panzer-Division / XXXXI.Armee-Korps / Heeresgruppe Nord
- Awarded on:
- October 11th, 1941
Raus commanded a lead Bataillon during the early days of Barbarossa that had the aim of quickly breaking through the Soviet defensive line on the Luga river. In a daring thrust on the 13-14.07.1941, Raus and his Bataillon were able to seize two undamaged bridges over the Pljussa at Ljday and over the Luga itself at Porietsche, thereafter creating a bridgehead. In capturing these bridges over a wide part of the river, Raus and his troops created a springboard from which the Korps was able to renew its drive towards Leningrad and outflank the heavily defended Soviet positions behind the Luga. Raus would receive the Knight’s Cross for this act of great operational significance.
569th Award.