Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Führer I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66, 13. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1944

Awarded for his actions during the 13. Panzer-Division’s attack against the Butor bridgehead in early 1944. By the morning of the second day of the attack the Division had managed to secure a foothold in the outer Soviet defenses. It was therefore decided that the Division’s armoured group would be unleashed at this time. This group was commanded by Major Schütz, and it consisted of the SPW and armoured car Kompanien of the Pz.A.A. 13, the handful of still operational SPWs from the I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 66, 3 Panzer IVs from the II./Pz.Rgt. 4 and 4 Sturmgeschütze from the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 243.

Major Schütz was wounded during the first stages of the German attack, and so Hauptmann Wendt took over the leadership of the group. The attack ultimately led to a full success. Although radio communications were particularly lacking on this day the Germans would skillfully prosecute the battle at the small-unit level. Hauptmann Wendt skillfully utilized the lay of the land to break into and clear the Soviet positions in the bridgehead.

In the end of a total of over 600 prisoners, 15 light artillery pieces, 12 swift-firing cannons (AA guns?), 45 anti-tank guns, 60 mortars, 11 super-heavy and numerous light weapons were either captured or destroyed.

Hauptmann Wendt would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for carrying out this successful attack.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

5. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 93, 13. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 20th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 93, 13. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)