Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 423, 212. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

November 4th, 1943

On the 15.10.1943 the Soviets launched a surprise attack in the sector of the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 423, which was holding a hill dubbed the ‘Nose’ at the time. Oberfeldwebel Bittl killed 5 Russians and defended his battle position until it was destroyed by an elongated charge. He jumped out of his bunker in the direction of the enemy and occupied the nearest fighting position as 80 Soviet soldiers entered into the forward trenches at the front of Nose Hill. Oberfeldwebel Bittl immediately perceived the danger for the entire Kompanie, especially since he only had 15 men at his disposal.

Although Bittl had almost completely run out of machine-pistol ammunition, and completely out of grenades, he decided to launch an immediate counterthrust. He quickly rallied 4 men that still had weapons and rushed against the much larger enemy force that had broken-in. He smashed into the Soviets with his machine-pistol while the hand grenades of his comrades took care of the rest. When the 3 men in the right sector of the position saw the impassioned charge of their commander they too joined the counterthrust. The position was completely cleared of the Soviet forces, who left behind about 40 dead and 50 wounded.

Bittl pursued the Soviets until reaching a large crater, whereupon enemy MG and blocking fire forced him to return to his own trenches. From there he immediately engaged the enemy forces still under friendly defensive fire with Soviet hand grenades that had been left behind.

He would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for achieving such an impressive tactical victory.