Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer 6./Infanterie-Regiment 439 / 134. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

March 4th, 1942

Awarded for his actions near the end of 1941, as described in the following wartime excerpt…

“Oberfeldwebel Dörfel showed exceptional energy as he and his encircled Zug fought their way out of enemy territory under the most difficult of circumstances. After he and his weary soldiers reached the delaying position only to encounter the enemy a second time he once again initiated a breakthrough, leading at the head of his Zug and encouraging them to fight through the enemy once more. It is only thanks to the indomitable willpower and toughness of Oberfeldwebel Dörfel himself that this Zug was able to make contact with its Bataillon after an almost 48-hour operation while enduring temperatures of -23 degrees, constant snowstorms, a lack of supplies and no opportunities to warm up.”