Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst

Unit:

Grenadier-Regiment 217

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 217 / 57.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

February 2nd, 1942

The following wartime excerpt describes why Britzelmayr was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 22.01.1942 Britzelmayr and his Regiment captured the village of Solnzewo following a battle that lasted from dawn until dusk. They did this despite the temperatures of -35 degrees celsius and the much larger defending enemy force, who defended with all available means (including tanks). When the attack threatened to bog down in the course of the street fighting, he placed himself at the head of his troops. Inspired by his example, they succeeded in defeating and evicting the enemy from the village while inflicting heavy losses. The capture of Solnzewo enabled the southern wing of the 2. Armee to successfully conduct an attack on the following day that managed to finally close the gap into which the enemy was constantly pouring in forces, and with this the dangerous flank threat to two Armeen that had existed for weeks was eliminated.”