Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1935

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1936

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1936

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1936

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Totenkopf", SS-Division 'Totenkopf' (mot.)

Awarded on:

September 28th, 1941

Bestmann’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Mission of the SS-Totenkopf-Division on the 26.06.1941 from Panzer-Gruppe 4:

SS-Totenkopf Division is at the disposal of Panzer-Gruppe 4. After passing through Babirvai (2 km north of Kasciai) it will preferably advance along the route Ressinie (south), Ariogala, Jesvainiai, Kochiniai, Wilkomierz in the Wolkomierz area (exclusively) - Vidiskiai (exclusively) - Borowschtschiska (inclusively) - Varzes (inclusively - Sinkunst (inclusively) - Siesikai (inclusively) Tarakeliad - Street Kodniniai , Wilkomierz (exclusively).

At around 03:00 on the 27.06.1941 the Aufkl.Abt. SS-T.Div. encountered elements of a Russian regiment (consisting of about 700 men) while driving towards Borowitschi along the Wilkomierz road. This force was currently advancing to blow up the bridge over the Sarantoje river, an act which would enable them to intercept a German supply column and its load of fuel that was intended for an immobilized Panzer-Regiment.

SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann immediately deployed his Aufkl.Abt. against this enemy force and crushed it. Although the far numerically superior enemy held all the advantages in terrain, the engagement was nonetheless concluded successfully thanks to the decisive influence of SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann upon the battlefield. In the process the enemy lost:

137 officers and men dead
70 vehicles [?]
1 truck

Mission on the 30.06.1941 from the LVI. Armee-Korps:

1.) SS-T.Div. will hold its reached line on the 01.07.1941.
2.) Reconnaissance will advance up to the lake defile at Rageli. The aim is to confirm if this corridor is occupied by the enemy. If an enemy garrison is absent or weak then this passage is to be swiftly captured by forward elements no later than the 02.07.1941.

The reconnaissance of the Aufkl.Abt. SS-T.Div. confirmed that the Skaltowo—Rageli road had been disrupted by two road and three bridge demolitions. Both the road and the bridges were repaired in a makeshift fashion by the subordinated Pionier-Kompanie. At 03:30 on the 02.07.1941 the Aufkl.Abt. SS-T.Div. launched an attack with a subordinated Batterie and Pz.Jg.Kp., one which was made difficult by the rainy weather and unfavourable terrain.

SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann directed his Kompanien and heavy weapons from the foremost line with such prudence that it was possible to secure the lake defile near Rageli by 08:15 despite the presence of a strong enemy garrison. This was done with minimal friendly losses, and the success here opened up the way for the Division to continue its forward advance.

On the 07.07.1941, as the combat near Sebesh was ongoing, the Aufkl.Abt. SS-T.Div. conducted an aggressive reconnaissance probe up to Opotschka. In the process it eliminated several enemy tanks (including a heavy class one), and even though the enemy launched strong attacks from both the front and rear against the Abteilung it held the attained line until strong divisional elements arrived as reinforcements.

While reconnoitring against the Mschaga river on the 23.07.1941, SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann managed to utilize the element of surprise and capture 19 enemy tractors along with a large number of trucks. Several artillery pieces and 3 tanks were also destroyed. During this battle SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann personally shot up a Russian medium tank.

SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann has already outstandingly distinguished himself during the Polish campaign as a Kompanie commander in the Leibstandarte SS-Adolf Hitler. For this reason he was employed in the Western campaign as a Bataillon commander. There he especially distinguished himself as a model Bataillon commander over the course of numerous other battles, particularly while forcing a crossing over the La-Basses Canal. Later entrusted with the leadership of the Aufkl.Abt. SS-T.Div., SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann has shown great devotion to duty during the Russian campaign and has achieved the following decisive successes:

1.) On the 30.06.1941 he cleared Panzergruppe 4’s threatened road from a dangerous enemy and enabled the Division to continue advancing forwards at speed.

2.) On the 02.07.1941 he achieved a glorious victory by capturing the lake defile near Rageli. By doing so he opened the way for the Division’s further advance and spared it many casualties.

3.) On the 07.07.1941 he launched a bold forward thrust that laid the groundwork for the approach to, and later capture of, Opotschka.

4.) On the 23.07.1941 he decisively facilitated the approach of the Division to the Mschaga river through his surprise forward thrust.

5.) SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann delivered significant reconnaissance results while his Abteilung was subordinated to the I. Armee-Korps.

Despite having been wounded 3 times (shell splinter in the foot during the Western campaign, shell splinter in the upper arm and neck shot during the Russian campaign) SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann did not leave his men. He instead continued to distinguish himself during his Abteilung’s successes through his confident decisions and highest personal readiness for operations.

I ask that SS-Sturmbannführer Bestmann be awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross in recognition of his decisive successes.”

[Editors Note: The writing in the recommendation is hard to make out, and some of the place names may have been spelt incorrectly.]

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

WIA 28.05.1940 (leg) + 08.07.1941 (neck) + 12.07.1941 (leg) + 21.10.1941 (breast)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)