Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 14. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 507, 292. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

The following newspaper article describes why Brauer received the Knight’s Cross…

“Enemy Armoured Formation Crushed - Knight’s Cross for a Pomeranian Kompanie Commander:

During the bitter fighting for the frontline sector Siedlce—Brest-Litovsk, a group of 3 Soviet tanks suddenly appeared behind the frontline of a Pomeranian-Mecklenburg Infanterie-Division. This group managed to reach a point in front of the artillery positions of the Division. In response to this threat the Artillerie-Regiment deployed its Pak-Zug, which was commanded by Oberleutnant Walter Brauer. After conducting a dangerous reconnaissance mission with just a single messenger, Oberleutnant Brauer was able to bring a Pak into a very suitable firing position. From here it was able to destroy 2 of the enemy tanks after a 10-minute firefight.

Despite the ongoing enemy gunfire, the brave Kompanie commander now continued his reconnaissance. He located a hostile assembly area that included 10 tanks as well as trucks and infantry. Oberleutnant Brauer then boldly decided to manhandle his two Pak guns into position in order to defeat this Soviet battlegroup. Over the course of a relentless firefight that lasted for three hours, all the enemy tanks were destroyed along with the majority of their escorting infantry. In total the men of the brave Pak-Zug destroyed or captured 12 tanks, 1 armoured car and several other armoured vehicles. The Führer has now recognized the fearless and self-stemming actions of this brave Kompanie commander with the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”