Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 3rd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 30th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 2. / Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122. Infanterie-Division / X.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1943

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

“Unteroffizier Borchardt, squad leader in a Grenadier-Kompanie, eliminated 54 enemy battle positions during a counterthrust south of Lake Ilmen launched on his own initiative. At the time these were greatly hindering the attack of his own Kompanie from the neighbouring sector. He eliminated one bunker after another while his squad handed him hand grenades and concentrated charges.”

On the 15.05.1944 Borchardt wrote a letter that goes into further detail concerning this action. It reads as follows…

“I was awarded the Knight’s Cross on the 30.04.1943. Prior to this I led and carried out a small unit operation that had the aim of restoring contact (which had been lost due to the thick mist) between a few elements of the Bataillon at a very important position .

To carry out this operation it was necessary to take out a row of enemy bunkers, MG nests, sniper positions and other Russian strongpoints located within the Penna ravine via close combat. In total there were 25 covered bunkers and 29 battle positions. The operation to crush this enemy position was a complete success. In addition to inflicting numerous losses in dead I was also able to capture 100 prisoners and 17 machine guns. Through this action contact was restored, and the important supply road Staraya Russa—Cholm was once again taken under German control. This operation was carried out by me and just 4 other men without any losses.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Führer Kompanie "Borchardt" / Regiment "Kohlmann" / 402. Infanterie-Division / X. SS-Armee-Korps / 3. Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Weichsel

Awarded on:

April 14th, 1945

Awarded for distinguishing himself during the defense of Fortress Schneidemühl, specifically at the western blocking position of the 402. Infanterie-Division near Schloppe.

828th Award.