Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann

Unit:

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4

Awarded on:

April 28th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

1./Kradschützen Bataillon 25

Awarded on:

September 15th, 1941

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 21.10.1941) describes why Westermann received the Knight’s Cross…

“… Among the new Knight’s Cross Holders reported in recent days is a certain Leutnant Westermann, Kompanie commander in a Kradschützen-Bataillon… During the defensive war against the Bolsheviks he outstandingly distinguished himself during the attack against Sokolow and the subsequent five days of fierce defensive combat. In this battle, following a successful opposed crossing over the Tynia river, another Kompanie in his Bataillon (deployed as the vanguard) thrust forward with the aim of capturing Sokolow. However when this unit encountered very strong enemy resistance Leutnant Westermann and his men received the mission of supporting the attack of their sister Kompanie. He and his troops took up this task with extraordinary offensive spirit. They proceeded to seize the commanding heights north of Sokolow and eliminate the Soviet flanking fire, thereby paving the way for the vanguard Kompanie to occupy Sokolow itself.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

1./Kradschützen Bataillon 25

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)