Ammann, Franz

Date of birth:: November 3rd, 1919 (Genderkingen, Germany)
Date of death:: August 18th, 1943 (Boromlja, Soviet Union)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
11.01.1937: RAD-Vormann
01.04.1937: RAD-Truppführer
14.11.1938: Schütze
20.12.1940: Obergefreiter
01.07.1942: Unteroffizier
01.03.1943: Feldwebel und O.A.
07.04.1943: Leutnant d.R.
10.02.1944: Oberleutnant d.R. (posthumously)

Career:
14.11.1938: joined the 13.(IG)/ Inf.Reg. 110 in Heidelberg
14.09.1940: appointed to the Inf. Ersatz Bataillon 110
08.05.1941: transferred to the 13./ Inf.Reg. 256 - 112.Inf.Div.: Bialistok-Minsk-Smolensk
14.10.1941: WIA in Sloboda - Eastern campaign
29.12.1941: WIA a 2nd time at Krutogaje - Rshev
30.01.1942: after his recovery, came to the 256. Infanterie Ersatz Bataillon
in the IG Ersatz Kompanie 112
Fall 1942: transferred to the 8./ Gren.Reg. 256 and severely WIA at Baschkino and at
Subkovo
12.1942: after another recovery, transferred from the Reserve Grenadier Bataillon
256 to the Grenadier Ersatz Bataillon 437
Spring 1943: sent to the 12th OA course at the IV School of Infantry in Beverloo and promoted to Leutnant der Reserve
1943: transferred to Grenadier Ersatz Bataillon 256
End 1943: transferred to Divisions-Bataillon 112 and appointed Führer of the 5./ Gren.Reg. 256
18.8.1943: In the fighting in the Boromlja area, Lt d.R. Ammann was again wounded in action and dies of his wounds
Northwest Orel, Leutnant der Reserve Ammann defended a crucial hill against numerous soviet enemy attacks. Ammann repeatedly fought back the enemy to his own trenches with only four grenadiers and for this action he received on August 23, 1943 posthumously the Knight's Cross and was posthumously promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: 13./ Inf.Reg. 256 - 112.ID
Awarded on:: August 12th, 1941

Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:: 8./ Grenadier Regiment 256 - 112. ID
Awarded on:: June 20th, 1942

Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:: 8./ Grenadier Regiment 256 - 112. ID
Awarded on:: July 21st, 1942

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:: 8./ Grenadier Regiment 256 - 112. ID
Awarded on:: July 23rd, 1942

Nahkampfspange in Bronze

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Divisions-Bataillon 112 - 112.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: June 20th, 1943

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer 5./ Grenadier-Regiment 256 / 112.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: August 1st, 1943

WIA 14.10.1941 + 29.12.1941 + 09.07.1942 +15.07.1943 + 17.07.1943

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer 5./ Grenadier-Regiment 256 / 112.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: August 23rd, 1943

Leutnant Ammann and his Grenadiers held a commanding hill northeast of Orel against repeated Soviet attacks during the fighting in the area that took place after Operation Citadel. On the 17.07.1943 the Soviets launched three battalion-strength attacks with tank support against this hill, however each time Ammann and his Kompanie were able to repulse them via counterattacks after the tanks had overrun their positions. On another battle day Ammann managed to eject the Soviet forces that had entered his trenches on several occasions with a handful of available Grenadiers. He conducted the last such action on this day with just 4 soldiers.

He would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for the commendable defense he put up at this hill.

Awarded posthumously.