Awarded for the following actions in the winter of 1943/1944, following his Division's relief of the 246. Infanterie-Division on 25.12.1943...
1) Pushing Soviet forces back about 1.5km to the north in the area SE of Krynki.
2) Holding a commanding hilltop position SE of Vitebsk over a 14-day long battle, which saw his troops repel multiple Soviet assaults despite being outnumbered.