Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 1./Infanterie-Regiment 14 / 5. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

July 4th, 1940

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

“Feldwebel Brachat, of the 1./I.R. 14, was involved in the forced crossing over the Aisne river at Oeuilly on the 09.06.1940. On this day he took over the Kompanie’s leadership on his own initiative after the Kompanie commander and all Kompanie officers had become casualties. His fearlessness, courage and ruthless devotion to duty in the foremost line made it possible for his Bataillon to reach its first attack objective without requesting external aid.”

The following press article provides further exposition as to this action…

“Feldwebel Albert Brachat showed himself to be an outstandingly brave fighter and determined leader during the crossing over the Aisne. He and his Kompanie encountered a particularly heavily fortified enemy strongpoint, and under its concentrated fire the Kompanie commander, a Kompanie officer and 14 NCOs and men were killed. Yet more were wounded. Feldwebel Brachat immediately took over the leadership of the Kompanie on his own initiative and led it in a renewed attempt against the strongpoint that was blocking the crossing. Along with the rest of his comrades he overpowered this obstacle in such a way that the follow-up reinforcements of the Bataillon were able to cross over the Aisne river in a swift attack. Although he himself was wounded in this time, Feldwebel Brachat maintained firm control over the Kompanie and did not lose sight of his objective.”