Brandt, Heinz (Panzergrenadier-Regiment 103)

Date of birth:: December 17th, 1912 (Kassel/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:: December 9th, 1996 (Frankenberg an der Eder/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Kompanieführer, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 103, 14. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: May 6th, 1945

The following report describes why Brandt was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“At the start of April 1945 the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 103 was tasked with conducting a relief attack in the Vartaja sector along with the support of Panzer-Regiment 36. The mission of Kompanie Brandt: Operate as a ready reserve on the left wing behind the Panzer-Abteilung in order to secure the open left flank.

When several enemy tanks were destroyed on a hill to the left of the Panzer-Abteilung, Leutnant Brandt and his Kompanie stormed this hill without major losses. Brandt personally attacked this hill from the front with his I. Zug. The Bataillon and the Panzers later pulled back, however the orders to do the same did not reach 7. Kompanie. Heinz Brandt and his men held this hill, and they only pulled back through the thinly occupied enemy lines unnoticed on the second night. Leutnant Brandt received the Knight’s Cross for eliminating this flank threat without orders while avoiding heavy losses.”