Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Führer, II. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 2, 2. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1942

The following wartime excerpt describes why Betz was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“At 03:00 on the 02.03.1942 the Schützen-Regiment 2 launched a counterattack that finally ejected the enemy from the last part of the friendly frontline that they had occupied in this sector. In the previous weeks the enemy had launched about 4-8 attacks on a daily basis against the right wing of the 2. Panzer-Division near Szawino, and the ground had become bitterly contested. During the counterattack the Soviets suffered particularly notable losses in tanks. Credit for bearing the brunt of the defense and managing the daily counterthrusts and counterattacks in all this time goes to the commander of the I./Schützen-Regiment 2, Hauptmann Betz.”

At this time the 2. Panzer-Division was located in the winter position Juchnow—Gshatsk—Subzoff.