Dünker, Edgar

Date of birth:: August 22nd, 1902 (Posen an der Warthe/Posen, Germany)
Date of death:: December 29th, 1941 (Starica, Soviet Union)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur I. / Infanterie-Regiment 336 / 161. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: December 31st, 1941

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

“During the course of the heavy defensive fighting southwest of Kalinin (Alfanosowo / Apoloschina), which was conducted in bitterly cold conditions, Hauptmann Dünker and his heavily weakened Bataillon managed to repel a strong attack by two enemy battalions on the 24.12.1941. Enemy losses amounted to 350 dead. In order to counter the enemy forces that were assembling for a renewed attack with additional forces, Hauptmann Dünker launched a preemptive counterstrike on his own initiative. Leading the attack from his Bataillon’s position at the head of 2 Kompanien, he smashed the enemy’s assembly area in a ferocious battle. In this latter engagement they lost over 100 dead and 270 prisoners.

Decisive success: The impending breakthrough at an endangered position was prevented. Two regiments of the Soviet 250th rifle division were badly battered. Enemy called off any further attacks.”

Awarded posthumously.