- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hauptmann (Captain)
- Unit:
- Führer III. / Grenadier-Regiment 57
- Awarded on:
- October 21st, 1943
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 16.12.1943) describes why Winckler received the Knight’s Cross…
“On the 30.09.1943 Hauptmann Rainer Winckler (Bataillon commander in a Siegen Grenadier-Regiment) and his Bataillon held a village north of Melitopol that was located right in the path of the enemy’s main effort at achieving a breakthrough. This brave Bataillon commander was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on the 21.10.1943. On the 01.11.1943 he died a heroic death during the continued combat in the East.”