Berner, Emil (Flak-Regiment 18)

Date of birth:: December 4th, 1921 (Stetten-Konstanz/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:: June 13th, 2008 (Engen-Stetten/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Became Unteroffizier in 1943.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: June 10th, 1942

Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Gefreiter der Reserve (Lance Corporal of Reserves)
Unit:: Richtkanonier, 3. Batterie, I. Abteilung, Flak-Regiment 18, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: November 3rd, 1942

Awarded for distinguishing himself as a Flak gunner throughout the North African campaign. During the battles of Sidi Rezeg and Bir el Hacheim (1941) he destroyed 16 enemy tanks. During the advances in the time period May-June 1942 (Tobruk—Marsa Matruk—El Alamein) he destroyed another 19 enemy tanks. He also destroyed about 200 vehicles as well as anti-tank gun batteries and MG nests. During the combat along the El Alamein front he prevented an armoured breakthrough, destroying 7 tanks at a range of 30-50 metres and shielding about 1000 prisoners from the Allies long enough for them to be taken away by German troops.

He had destroyed 42 tanks altogether by the time he received the Knight’s Cross.