Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 577, 305. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1945

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

“On the 05. & 06.02.1945 the enemy attacked the position of the Regiment (located southeast of Bologna) following a multi-hour bombardment by artillery, mortars and machine-guns. The enemy concentrated their attack against Strongpoint Pizzano, which was located on the north-facing slope of Monte Jano. The enemy held positions higher up on the mountain and therefore had clear lines of sight into our own position. The garrison (which had been forced into cover by the strong enemy fire) initially had the cover of friendly smoke rounds, however there was still a very significant danger that the Zug-strength garrison of the strongpoint would be overrun.

Among the defenders was Feldwebel Trinko, the forward observer for the medium mortar Zug. At the time his mission was to direct the fire of his mortars upon identified enemy targets. However as the smoke began clearing somewhat he noticed that the enemy had already gotten about 150-200 men to a distance just 100 metres away from the main line of defense. He immediately directed effective fire upon this grouping. The enemy in turn resumed their massive artillery/mortar barrage upon the strongpoint, even using tank guns to support their effort. Trinko’s forward observer position was shot to pieces, with shell splinters hitting him in the back and leg. Cascading rock and earth also broke his upper left arm.

Thanks to a major exertion of willpower, he was able to get out of the destroyed observation post despite his severe injuries. As he did so he saw that the enemy had already worked their way to a point just shy of the strongpoint itself. The garrison was still cowering under the powerful enemy fire, and had not noticed their approach. A hostile penetration appeared inevitable.

The strongpoint commander’s command post was located in the rearward portion of the strongpoint, and at this time the powerful enemy drumfire prevented him from establishing any kind of communications. As such he had no way of influencing the outcome of the fighting in the area of his foremost squads.

Then, without regard for his severe injuries, Feldwebel Trinko sprang to the nearest strongpoint positions, rallied the defenders and then began hammering the enemy with MG and machine-pistol fire. He personally threw grenade after grenade into the enemy’s midst with his good arm, disregarding the pain. The enemy attack now began to break down under the strongpoint’s fire just before it had made it to the defenses. When Feldwebel Trinko saw the enemy begin to pull back, he immediately directed his mortars to fire upon them. 7 enemy dead lay just before his position, and in the gathering darkness the enemy was observed evacuating at least another 20 casualties (either dead or severely wounded).

Feldwebel Trinko’s brave initiative at this time of great danger restored the strongpoint’s defensive readiness just in the nick of time. The enemy was thereby prevented from pushing past Strongpoint Pizzano, the cornerstone of the defensive position along the Idice valley road. If the enemy had succeeded in making a penetration here they would’ve greatly endangered the massif of Monte Armato. However Feldwebel Trinko’s decision to take over command of the nearest friendly soldiers and put up bitter resistance (all in spite of his injuries) meant that the enemy was unable to penetrate our line of defense and thereby threaten the massif at Monte Armato. Feldwebel Trinko was the soul of the resistance in the hard fighting for this important point.

On the 01.01.1945 Trinko was promoted to Feldwebel in recognition of his outstanding bravery.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 8th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 21st, 1944