Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Kompanie Trupp-Melder 6. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138 / 3. Gebirgs-Division

Awarded on:

December 11th, 1943

The following article from the Graz newspaper “Kleinen Zeitung”, dated 22.01.1944, describes why Benedikt was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Major enemy attack north of Melitopol. The massive Soviet infantry and tank forces ran up against the position of the Steiermärkischer Gebirgsjäger over the course of multiple days without success. However they ultimately achieved a penetration on the left wing of the Grazer Bataillon. While further enemy waves stormed against the front of the Bataillon, an enemy battalion slipped through the break-in point and enveloped the left wing and rear of the already engaged 6. Kompanie.

Here Obergefreiter Johann Benedikt (who hails from Audritz, near Graz) stood ready behind his MG, and he opened up against the Bolsheviks attacking from the rear. But there, right at the critical hour, his MG received a direct hit and was knocked out. While a few Jäger in the vicinity provided covering fire and held back the enemy as best as they could, Benedikt hastily gathered up several shot-up MGs to himself and created a new MG out of the various still usable parts. He worked calmly and confidently, just as he would have in his workshop as a bicycle locksmith. Finally he once again had a useful weapon in hand. It didn’t come a moment too soon, as the Soviets had already noticed that they were by now only receiving single shots. They stormed forwards in their thick masses, their cries of ‘Urräh’ being very close indeed. Benedikt’s squad leader had fallen, and most comrades from his squad were wounded and had to give up the fight. Support from the Kompanie or the Bataillon was not forthcoming in this moment. Only two Jäger continued to fire in his vicinity.

Then the Obergefreiter jumped up. Without any cover, he fired his makeshift MG into the earth-brown masses that continued to come forwards against him. They stalled before this unexpected resistance, and then began to collapse in heaps. The Bolshevik attack collapsed just a few steps in front of the MG. 50 dead covered the battlefield, and 12 prisoners were taken by the 3 Jägern.

The crisis had been averted. Brought-up reinforcements were able to eliminate the penetration in a counterattack and definitively restore the situation. Obergefreiter Benedikt’s bravery and determination had significantly contributed to this defensive success. For this reason he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross after he had been given the Iron Cross First Class on the previous day.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)