Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel

Unit:

14./(Panzerjäger-) Schützen-Regiment 66

Awarded on:

December 9th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer Stabs-Kompanie/Schützen-Regiment 66

Awarded on:

September 4th, 1942

Awarded for his successes on the eastern front. In 1941 he and his Zug destroyed 52 Soviet tanks. He later had great success during the fighting in the Caucasus while sallying forth with his guns against supposed Soviet Katyusha rocket launcher firing positions. While doing this he managed to force the Soviets to prematurely and/or uncontrollably fire their rockets on several occasions.

His greatest achievement in this regard came on the 02.08.1942. On this day he was again driving forward with his Pak Zug in order to try and disrupt the operations of Katyusha rocket launchers. Suddenly he saw the Soviet firing positions, and they likewise saw him. The German 5-cm Pak guns quickly deployed into position while the Soviets similarly tried to swiftly orient their rocket launcher rails against these new attackers. However the rockets overshot the mark, and the Germans were thus able to fire into the midst of the Soviet Katyusha position with impunity. The Soviet Katyusha batteries were either destroyed or capture in the ensuing fight.

This action meant that the 13. Panzer-Division was free from Soviet rocket attacks until it later reached the Terek river. Oberfeldwebel Schelhorn was himself recognized for his bold devotion to duty with the Knight’s Cross.