Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)

Unit:

MG-Schütze 4. / Infanterie-Regiment 415 / 123. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

February 10th, 1942

The following wartime excerpt describes why Drössiger would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“During the fighting around Otonez-Kosloff on the 21.09.1941 Obergefreiter Drössiger of the 4./Infanterie-Regiment 415 had a decisive share in his Bataillon’s defensive efforts. Showing great decisiveness, ruthlessness and devotion to duty, he held his position all on his own despite the almost hopeless situation.”

On this day Gefreiter Drössiger was providing flank protection at the village edge of Otonez-Kosloff when the Soviets suddenly launched an attack against the village in battalion strength. It did not take them long to make out Drössiger’s post as a source of particularly bitter resistance, and they slowly began to approach it.

Drössiger shot burst after burst at the enemy, but his MG suddenly jammed. After successfully fixing the weapon a mechanical failure once again took place shortly afterwards. Drössiger then took up the fight with his pistol, and after its magazine had ran out he threw two hand grenades in the vicinity at the enemy, throwing them into confusion. He then subsequently threw his empty MG drum magazine against the Soviets, who mistook this for a new kind of projectile weapon and thereafter fell back.

By his actions Drössiger had almost single-handedly prevented a Soviet breakthrough. In recognition of these efforts he would be decorated with both classes of Iron Cross and eventually the Knight’s Cross itself.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)