Arndt, Fritz (Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 32)
- Date of birth:
- June 1st, 1910 (Zehdenick an der Havel/Brandenburg, Germany)
- Date of death:
- March 12th, 2003 (Mildenberg/Brandenburg, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Promotions:
1942: Obergefreiter d.R.
1944: Feldwebel d.R.
1945: Oberfeldwebel d.R.
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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
- Awarded on:
- December 1st, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Obergefreiter (Corporal)
- Awarded on:
- March 10th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Obergefreiter (Corporal)
- Unit:
- MG-Schütze Stabskompanie / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 32 / 12. Panzer-Division / 2.Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
- Awarded on:
- March 31st, 1943
Arndt had barely passed on these orders when the Soviets were upon the defenders. A tank opened up direct fire on Arndt himself, however Arndt managed to keep control over his nerves and allow the tank to come closer before destroying it with a T-mine. Despite the warnings of his comrades, Arndt remained in the strongpoint as the garrisoning Kompanie pulled back. Totally alone, he engaged the attacking Soviets with a captured co-axial machine-gun. A deadly game of cat and mouse followed, however Arndt was repeatedly able to evade the Soviets via an underground pipe system that the attackers were unaware of. Using this system, he was able to repeatedly appear in the Soviet rear and inflict heavy losses. He ultimately managed to return to the primary defensive strongpoint while also taking back 10 prisoners.
Arndt thereby managed to prevent a potentially devastating breakthrough despite being all on his own. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross for his bravery.
1638th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Feldwebel der Reserve
- Unit:
- Zugführer 1. / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 32 / 12.Panzer-Division / 2. Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
- Awarded on:
- December 9th, 1944
On the 30.11.1944 Feldwebel Arndt succeeded in preventing a major Soviet breakthrough north of Autz (Lithuania). During the course of their attack the Soviets succeeded in taking the German main battle line and thrusting far beyond it.
In response, Arndt rallied about 20 men and ordered them to mount up on 2 SPWs. With these he drove past the enemy tanks and their mounted infantry up to the old frontline. Upon arrival he and his men dismounted, captured the MG positions and then rolled up the trenches to either side. Arndt immobilized a T-34 tank with a T-mine. The crew bailed out and was taken prisoner. After this Arndt and two of his comrades clambered into the tank and turned its gun upon the attacking Soviet forces, destroying multiple Soviet tanks. This compelled the bulk of the attacking Soviet forces to retreat, although a few scattered squads became encircled behind the German lines and surrendered.
Arndt would later receive the Oakleaves for eliminating this Soviet penetration and thereby preventing a possible Soviet breakthrough.
678th Award.
In response, Arndt rallied about 20 men and ordered them to mount up on 2 SPWs. With these he drove past the enemy tanks and their mounted infantry up to the old frontline. Upon arrival he and his men dismounted, captured the MG positions and then rolled up the trenches to either side. Arndt immobilized a T-34 tank with a T-mine. The crew bailed out and was taken prisoner. After this Arndt and two of his comrades clambered into the tank and turned its gun upon the attacking Soviet forces, destroying multiple Soviet tanks. This compelled the bulk of the attacking Soviet forces to retreat, although a few scattered squads became encircled behind the German lines and surrendered.
Arndt would later receive the Oakleaves for eliminating this Soviet penetration and thereby preventing a possible Soviet breakthrough.
678th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Obergefreiter (Corporal)
- Awarded on:
- August 28th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
- Awarded on:
- July 25th, 1944
Sources
- Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
- Photo: Wilco Vermeer collection, the Netherlands
- Arndt
- - HUß, JÜRGEN & SONDERMANN, HEINZ-WERNER, Ritterkreuzträger im Mannschaftsstand 1941-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2009.
- SCHERZER, VEIT, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Bissendorf, 2010.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
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