Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant der Reserve (Lieutenant-colonel of Reserves)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 390, 215. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

February 1st, 1945

Awarded for distinguishing himself during the fighting near Riga in late 1944. He conducted himself particularly notably on the 15.09.1944. On this day he assembled an ad-hoc Kampfgruppe (made up of an 8.8-cm Flak Batterie plus supply troops from his Division) along the road from Code to Bauske and used it to establish a strongpoint around the main farmstead near Bauske. This unit intercepted a Soviet force with tanks and infantry, destroying a number of the former before coming under concentrated artillery bombardment. Eventually 3 of the 4 German cannons were knocked out, however the last gun continued to fire four hours after the beginning of the Soviet attack. The result was that the Soviets were prevented from advancing to the east across the major German supply route going from Bauske to Riga. Finally, at 17:00, Oberstleutnant Harms ordered his men to break out in the direction of Riga. The still operational 2-cm and 3.7-cm Flak guns took the lead while the Grenadiers covered the flanks, and Harms’ force was able to break out to freedom successfully.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Stab, Grenadier-Regiment 390, 215. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1944