Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Fallschirm-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, II. Fallschirm-Korps, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

May 9th, 1945

Jungwirt’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 19.02.1945, during the heavy defensive battles of the 116. Panzer-Divison east of the Reichswald, the subordinated Fallschirm-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12 was in defensive positions on both sides of the Bedburg—Üdem road.

Between 12:30 and 13:30, following hours of harassing fire in the whole sector, the enemy barrage intensified to a furious bombardment of all calibers. At 13:30 the enemy then commenced an attack along both sides of the road with infantry and tank forces. Despite furious resistance the enemy succeeded in overrunning the German frontline and eliminating the command post of 3. Kompanie with flamethrower tanks. The Abteilung command post, located at a large homestead, was overrun on both sides by the enemy and surrounded. Tanks and mortars plastered the place with such heavy fire that its occupants, namely the commander along with his staff and some signals troops/messengers, could barely move.

Nonetheless Major Jungwirth decided to hold out under any circumstances despite the seemingly hopeless situation. As the enemy flamethrower tanks approached the homestead, a panic threatened to break out among his men along with the civilians and wounded that were hiding in the cellar. However Major Jungwirth was able to restore the morale of his troops by his great personal example. Armed with Panzerfausts, he and his men left the basement and were able to keep the surprised enemy at bay with their unexpected resistance.

At the same Major Jungwirth, in clear recognition that only the successful defense of his Abteilung could prevent an enemy breakthrough, decided to counterattack with the as yet uncommitted 1. Kompanie that was in position outside the encirclement ring.

Disregarding the heavy enemy defensive fire, Major Jungwirth launched a sally with a handful of remaining troops against the enemy encirclement ring. After a hard and bitter fight he succeeded in breaking through it and uniting with 1. Kompanie. He then threw back the enemy forces in the ensuing counterattack, eliminating parts of both their armoured and infantry elements.

Major Jungwirth’s energetic and ruthless devotion to duty was a decisive contributing factor in this outstanding battlefield accomplishment. Despite being majorly handicapped by his body (one of his lungs is now defunct due to injury) he always stands at the head of his men and carries them to great achievements. Major Jungwirth and his men captured/destroyed the following in this fighting…

- 10 tanks (with close combat weapons)
- 2 tanks (with 8.8 cm AT guns)
- 48 prisoners
- 2 anti-tank guns
- 4 armoured carriers

About 200 enemy dead were counted in front of the defensive positions.

Through this exceptional achievement, and despite the seeming hopelessness of the situation at one stage, Major Jungwirth succeeded in holding the enemy breakthrough, sealing it off, destroying the hostile armoured spearheads and winning time for a new defensive line to be built. By doing this he has an important share in the successful defensive battles in the area Reichswald—Goch—Xanten, in which the enemy failed to achieve any breakthrough.

Indicative of the spirit of Major Jungwirth and his soldiers is the fact that, even after enduring a heavy battle with both drumfire and overwhelming mental stress, they began to chant a military song.”


The award is considered to be a non-confirmed award.
Proposal arrived at HPA on 26.04.1945 and was handed over to the LPA on 30.04. ; there, the original proposal of the unit (Erstausfertigung) for Hengstler and Deutsch [Fsch.Stug.Brig 12] have been arrived already and LPA-VVs were prepared which were sent to the Adjutantur des Reichsmarschalls on 24.04.1945 (but Göring was arrested already) ; therefore General Meister himself made the award for Deutsch on 28.04. and rejected the one for Hengstler ; during this procedure it apparently happened that the proposal for Jungwirt wasn't treated in any way ; no confirmation to find in the files of the Bundesarchiv (Akte Jungwirt is incomplete , plundered completely) ; award accepted by OdR in accordance with so-called Dönitz-Erlass ; award date determined by Fellgiebel.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 26th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 26th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

I. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment Hermann Göring, Division "General Göring", Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1943

According to other source the awarding date is 17-4-1943.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

I. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment Hermann Göring, Division "General Göring", Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

January 26th, 1943

Not certain is wether Hans Jungwirt was mentioned in the Ehrenblatt des Heeres or der Luftwaffe. According to sources (Scheibert) he was supposed to have received the Ehrenblattspange des Heeres, but photos show him wearing the Ehrenblattspange der Luftwaffe.

According to other source the awarding date is 1-11-1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 22nd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 27th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1942