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Silzner, Franz (Infanterie-Regiment 501)

Date of birth:
1914
Date of death:
1998
Nationality:
German

Biography

On August 13, 1942, with his company which had shrunk to only 35 people, he managed to carry out a retaliatory attack on Russian troops on the Now-Derewjna border thus avoiding the difficult situation his regiment was experiencing. Five days later, after a deadly artillery strike, his defense position was taken by Russian assault units. With only 24 people, Silzner counterattacked, engaged in close combat, and recaptured lost positions. The result: 84 Russian soldiers killed and 9 taken prisoner!

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
11./ Infanterie-Regiment 501 - 290. ID
Awarded on:
April 14th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef 11./ Infanterie-Regiment 501 - 290. Infanterie Division
Awarded on:
October 21st, 1942
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo