Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 13th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 11th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Ia, SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division „Prinz Eugen“

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Ia, 3. SS Panzer-Division "Totenkopf", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1944

Eberhardt’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“During the transfer of the Division from the area of Heeresgruppe Südukraine SS-Obersturmbannführer Eberhardt, the Ia of the Division, arrived in the Grodno area with the lead divisional elements on the 15.07.1944.

The enemy had created a bridgehead over the Njemen northwest of Grodno on the 16.07.1944. From here they advanced westwards with strong forces towards the Grodno-Augustow road via Kielbaski-Wasilewiecze-Sopockinie.

Correctly perceiving this threatening situation, SS-Obersturmbannführer Eberhardt took over the leadership of the Division’s arrived elements on his own initiative. Using the handful of forces available (namely the Aufklärungs-Abteilung and II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 6 ‘Theodor Eicke’), which did not include any heavy weapons, he swiftly created a strongpoint-like line at the front along the Njemen river. In doing so he blocked the enemy’s main bridge over the river, an action which in turn prevented the insertion of additional enemy forces onto the west bank of the Njemen.

A bridgehead that the enemy created just to the northwest of Grodno on the 17.07.1944 was eliminated thanks to the ruthless actions of SS-Obersturmbannführer Eberhardt, who committed the newly arrived III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 5 ‘Totenkopf’ and III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 6 ‘Theodor Eicke’ against this bridgehead. The enemy was thrown back over the Njemen while suffering bloody losses.

The Bolsheviks established another bridgehead in the southern part of Grodno on the same day in the sector of a Polizei-Bataillon. However SS-Obersturmbannführer Eberhardt again swiftly intervened, sending in the Division’s Begleits-Kompanie along with 4 Sturmgeschützen on his own initiative. By 22:00 this enemy force was likewise thrown back across the river. Eberhardt personally led this operation from the foremost line without a care for his own safety.

SS-Obersturmbannführer Eberhardt had only been the Division’s Ia for a short time, and its formations were still relatively unfamiliar to him. Nonetheless, through his decisiveness, lightning-swift action and outstanding personal bravery he ensured that the broken-through enemy was cut off by the Division’s attack into their deep flank. This action caused the enemy to call off their further advance to the west.

His qualities of leadership and bravery before the enemy have brought about an important victory for our cause. For this reason I hold SS-Obersturmbannführer Eberhardt as one worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Submitted on August 2nd 1944.
Preliminary document on September 7th 1944 to Heeresgruppe Mitte.