Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

Stabskompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 50, 111. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

February 17th, 1943

During early 1943 Kampfgruppe Musculus (the rearguard of the 111. Infanterie-Division) reached the Kuma bridge north of Ssoldato-Alexandrowskoje. On the 09.01.1943, after the last stragglers had crossed over, the order was given to blow the bridge. Unteroffizier Ebel was the leader of the demolition unit.

As this was being conducted a Soviet T-34 tank appeared with an infantry escort. Ebel jumped over the northern riverbank and ignited the charges. However a cable connection had failed, and the bridge was only half-destroyed. As the Soviets moved across the remains of the bridge Unteroffizier Ebel rushed forwards without regard for his life. He alone knew the demolition plan and where all the wiring and explosives were located. He found where the cable had been cut, brought it back into order and once again ignited the wire. This time the bridge was totally destroyed, and Ebel was able to make it back across the northern bank without injuries.

All of this had been conducted while under fierce enemy fire. Unteroffizer Ebel would later receive the Knight’s Cross for his decisive actions at a critical moment.