Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 14. Kompanie, IV. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment (motorisiert) "Großdeutschland", Heer

Awarded on:

September 4th, 1940

The following wartime excerpt describes why Beck-Broichsitter was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant Beck-Broichsitter has heroically distinguished himself along with his 14. (Pz.Jg.) Kompanie during the time period 10.-15.05.1940, specifically during the combat in Belgium near Etalle (10.05.1940), in the aftermath of the Maas crossing near Sedan before Chemery (14.05.1940) and before Stonne (15.05.1940). In this time the unit destroyed 6 armoured cars and 83 enemy tanks, the latter total including 3 heavy 32 ton tanks.”

The following press article (dated 29.09.1940) provides further detail as to these actions…

“Oberleutnant Beck-Broichsitter has heroically distinguished himself along with his Panzerjäger-Kompanie during the combat in Belgium near Etalle, in the aftermath of the Maas crossing near Sedan before Chemery and before Stonne. Throughout this time the unit destroyed 6 armoured cars and 83 enemy tanks, the latter total including 3 heavy 32 ton tanks.

While providing tank protection to his Regiment in the area around Etalle he carried out his mission with prudence and supremacy. During the assembly for and the course of the attack against Villers he and his men knocked out 6 of the reconnoitring enemy armoured cars and another 6 attacking enemy light tanks, for a total of 12 armoured vehicles altogether.

Oberleutnant Beck-Broichsitter likewise took over armour defense for his attacking Regiment near Chemery. Here he received orders to take and hold a bridge located 500 metres south of Chemery in conjunction with an armoured car Zug. As they were carrying out this order they lost contact with the armoured cars as the latter sped ahead. Thus, as they were driving fully alone, they suddenly came under attack by both an enemy squadron from the southeast and enemy tanks from the southwest. Oberleutnant Beck-Broichsitter acted with exceptional skill and presence of mind, deploying his guns in a hedgehog-like fashion against the enemy armour and his two light machine-guns against the squadron. Despite the lack of infantry support he held his position for three hours, during which he and his men repulsed the cavalry squadron and destroyed 31 tanks.

Once again at Stonne he managed to prevent a breakthrough by enemy tanks with incredible boldness despite the serious situation and lack of infantry. Here 33 enemy tanks were destroyed. By doing so he significantly contributed to the holding and expansion of Gruppe von Kleist’s breakthrough point near Sedan.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1942

Bronze version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 12th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Führer, einer Kampfgruppe, 23. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 7th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 20th, 1940