Bartsch, Günter

Date of birth:: April 22nd, 1920 (Triebel/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:: March 6th, 1990 (Vogtsreuth/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Unteroffizier der Reserve (Corporal of Reserves)
Unit:: Gruppenführer 2. / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 110 / 11. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:: November 12th, 1943

Here follows a short report (dated 30.11.1943) written by Bartsch’s Bataillon commander that describes why Bartsch was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Unteroffizier Günter Bartsch distinguished himself through his outstanding bravery while defending against a massive Russian assault on the 03. and 04.09.1943.

The enemy attacked our hill position (located on the forward slope of Point 180.4, itself north of Poltava) with an overwhelming superiority, and they eventually achieved a penetration in the sector of the right neighbouring Bataillon after repeated onslaughts.

Bartsch and his squad were located on the extreme right wing of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 110, and from this position they inflicted bloody losses on the attacking Russians. After it was clear that a penetration in the sector of the right neighbour was inevitable, Bartsch ordered his squad to refuse its flank and reposition its MGs in such a way that they were able to deliver effective flanking fire into the break-in point. By doing this Bartsch played an invaluable role in limiting the extent of the breach and ultimately defeating this hostile onslaught as a whole. By refusing his flank on his own initiative in this threatening situation he prevented his Kompanie from being rolled up and simultaneously laid the groundwork for our own forces to launch a counterthrust. After several hours of combat the old frontline disposition was restored. This bold, superior and extremely brave Unteroffizier is completely worthy of this high honour.”