Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier der Reserve (Corporal of Reserves)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 1./Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 305 / 305. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1945

The following divisional newspaper excerpt (dated 23.03.1945) describes why Brütsch was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“New Knight’s Cross Holder in our Division!

On the 21.03.1945 Unteroffizier Brütsch (from the unit Cadenbach in Beisein) received the Knight’s Cross from the divisional commander following his being awarded this medal on the 17.03.1945 by the Führer!

Unteroffizier Brütsch and his squad inflicted bloody losses on the enemy during the fighting southwest of Faenza. After his machine-gunner had fallen out Brütsch personally took up the MG, held the enemy back from his strongpoint without regard for his imminent encirclement and fought the enemy forces that were bypassing him on both sides. The strong defense of this strongpoint over the course of the entire day prevented the enemy’s imminent breakthrough.

The supreme commander praised this battle-deciding deed in the following address:

‘We are all glad that he has found recognition by the Führer himself. I am particularly proud to hand over the Knight’s Cross to him, and I give him my own appreciation.’”

The action mentioned in the article took place in the village of Celle (southwest of Faenza) during December 1944.