Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 453, 253. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 23rd, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 12th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 453, 253. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

The following newspaper article (dated 13.10.1944) describes why Wittrock received the Knight’s Cross…

“16 Breakthrough Attempts Prevented:

During the fighting north of Sandomierz Leutnant Josef Wittrock (Kompanie leader in a Rhine-Westphalian Grenadier-Regiment) took over an important sector along the Vistula with a Kompanie consisting of men from an assortment of different formations. Wittrock’s position was the keystone of a German defensive front that was containing a hostile penetration, and so the Bolsheviks repeatedly assailed the position with vast quantities of men and firepower in order to break out. However 7 overwhelming attacks were repulsed by the hard-pressed Grenadiers, who repeatedly took inspiration from the heroic example of their commander. During the first hours of this combat Leutnant Wittrock already became wounded by a shell splinter in the right arm, with the result that he could only use his left arm.

On the third day the Soviets finally achieved a deep penetration two kilometres south of his strongpoint following an unusually heavy artillery bombardment. Although he [Wittrock] and his handful of men were initially able to repulse an attack by 300 Soviets, the outnumbered defending force was ultimately forced out of the position. Yet, with the employment of ruthless energy, Leutnant Wittrock was able to consolidate at the western exit of the village with his troops and go on to defeat 5 attacks by enemy forces that outnumbered his own contingent 20fold. Then, although he had been wounded for a second time, Wittrock launched a counterthrust with just 5 men and was able to take control of the commanding western exit of the village a total of 3 times.

After this the Soviets halted their attacks on account of the heavy losses they had sustained. In the end Leutnant Wittrock and his men defeated no less than 16 breakthrough attempts by the Soviets. The Führer has recognized his exemplary bravery through the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)