Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer 7. / Grenadier-Regiment 434 / 131. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

January 18th, 1944

Dieling’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows. Note that in the original text the place and unit names were omitted…

“At 11:00 on the 15.12.1943 the Russians commenced an assault on a broad front against the sector of the Division and the left neighbouring Division… According to deserter statements the Russians had the aim of reaching the road … and capturing both cities. The fluid battles lasted until the 18.12.1943. On the evening of that day the … was completely in friendly hands.

According to deserter and prisoner statements, in the sector of the Regiment the Russians had the aim of conducting a double envelopment of …, which was located on a commanding hill and was the keystone of the divisional sector. However despite their best efforts they had not succeeded in doing so by the evening of the 18.12.1943, and so they decided to attack … frontally. Concealed by both the darkness and their white winter clothing, they succeeded in breaking through our thinly held lines and entering into the southern part of … with 80 men. They swiftly advanced towards the northeast and made it as far as the village centre.

Leutnant Dieling commanded a Kompanie with a sector that ran up to the southern village edge of …, and his command post was located 200 metres to the southwest of the village. He heard the noises of battle in his Kompanie’s sector. However since his reserve squad had already been dispatched farther to the right during the course of the day he had only 1 medic, 1 radioman and 1 messenger available.

He clearly understood that a penetration into this village would have grave consequences for the overall frontline situation. Thus, even though it was in the neighbouring sector, he decided to attack this new enemy with what men were available. He took up a reserve light MG at the command post and commenced his counterthrust; and during the course of the engagement his small group was only reinforced by the Kompanie HQ squad leader, a Zugführer and 2 men. At the time the enemy was assembling behind a barn, and they were scattered by the firing of flares into their midst on top of the ruthless German charge. They were pushed back towards the east. Subsequently Leutnant Dieling advanced up the village road towards the northeast, and along the way he repeatedly ejected the enemy forces as they in turn tried to get a foothold. After contact had been established with the commander of … Kompanie, which had in turn been coming from the northeast, they turned against the … located southeast of the village, which was made up of trenches and dugouts. This was cleared of the enemy and once again brought under friendly control.

This crisis could have had severe repercussions for the overall situation. However it was mastered in no small part thanks to Leutant Dieling’s counterthrust into the left neighbouring sector, which he launched on his own initiative. The enemy suffered heavy losses in both men and captured materiel.

Leutnant Dieling was wounded during this engagement, however he remained with his men.”

To this was added an endorsement by the divisional commander…

“I support the recommendation of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for Leutnant Dieling. His brave and independent action is all the more praiseworthy as his unit had by now been heavily worn down by the major attacks of the Russians, who constantly brought up fresh forces (4 weak German battalions were up against 4 Russian divisions). In this situation a Russian breakthrough towards … and further to the northwest would have had extremely serious ramifications, as no more reserves were available (at the regimental command post only the commander, his adjutant and one messenger were present).

The experiences of previous battles have shown that the Russians insert strong follow-up forces through every penetration. However the swift, energetic and determined action by Leutnant Dieling ensured this did not come to pass. Leutnant Dieling died in battle on the 05.01.1944.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)