Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Schützen-Regiment 8 / 8. Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

July 15th, 1941

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

“On the 24.06.1941 Oberstleutnant Crisolli blocked the enemy’s important retreat road Kowno-Dünaburg by his own bold thrust towards Wilkomierz. This prevented the escape of strong enemy armoured forces.

On the 25.06.1941 Oberstleutnant Crisolli and his Kampfgruppe immediately took advantage of the capture of the Düna bridges near Dünaburg. Oberstleutnant Crisolli made the swift decision to occupy the city, and it was secured after tough urban combat against a bitterly defending enemy. This secured jump-off positions for a further friendly advance. The success of his Kampfgruppe near Dünaburg was of decisive importance for the conduct of overall operations.”