Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer, Pionierzug, Grenadier-Regiment 520, 296. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 15th, 1944

The Soviets launched a surprise attack on the positions of Grenadier-Regiment 520 (located on the west bank of the Druth river, near Rogachev) in mid-February 1944. A Guards battalion succeeded in crossing the frozen river about 200 meters north of the bridge over the river, and immediately were able to penetrate into the German positions located on the west bank, which were still under construction. Immediate counterattacks from the German side were able to contain their advance. Eventually, the Regiment sent a half-Zug of Pioniere led by Oberfeldwebel Seidl against the Soviet bridgehead in order to deal with it once and for all. In a very hard fight against the stubbornly defending Soviets, Seidl and his 14 men were ultimately able to destroy the battalion. When the last five guardsmen (all badly wounded) surrendered at dusk, 180 Soviet dead were counted in the perimeter that had been temporarily established.

For the outstanding success of his counterattack against a numerically superior and determined foe, Oberfeldwebel Seidl received the Knight's Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)