Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 26th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 13th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Führer II. / Schützen-Regiment 1 / 1.Panzer-Division / Gruppe Guderian

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1941

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

“During the thrust from Besancon to Belfort Hauptmann Eckinger commanded the lead elements of the Gefechtsgruppe’s main force. After the vanguard had thrust through the heavily occupied city of Montbeliard without a fight Eckinger received new orders during the night. He was to clear the city of resistance and hold open the rear area of the troops that were pressing on ahead. In this completely unclear situation he immediately commenced an attack during the night and captured the city in tough urban combat. In doing so he forced the surrender of 2 French infantry regiments and 1 artillery regiment. These actions enabled the remaining troops of the Gefechtsgruppe to prepare and carry out their attack against Belfort without worrying about any threats to their rear. Eckinger thus secured the necessary conditions for the capture of fortress Belfort.”

269th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

1. / Schützen-Regiment 1 / 1.Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

September 20th, 1941

344th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur I. / Schützen-Regiment 113 (motorisiert) / 1.Panzer-Division / XXXXI.Armee-Korps / Panzer-Gruppe 4 / Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1941

The following press article describes why Eckinger would be awarded the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross…

“Major Dr. Eckinger’s bold deeds - The Oakleaves awarded to the brave, fallen Weimar Bataillon commander:

Knight’s Coss Holder, Major and Bataillon commander Dr. Josef Eckinger was a resident of Wiemar, Blücherstraße. As reported early, he died a hero’s death in the east and was subsequently honoured through the award of the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross by the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht. As a commander he was a shining example on the frontline. He died fearlessly and upright, just as he lived.

Major Dr. Eckinger earned the Knight’s Cross while serving as a Kompanie commander of a Schützen-Regiment. During the crossing of the Maas river at Sedan he succeeded in knocking out several bunkers and forcing the breakthrough of the Maginot Line at this position. During the thrust from Besancon to Belfort he created the necessary conditions for the capture of Belfort.

He entered the campaign in the east as commander of a Schützen Bataillon in a Thuringian Panzer-Division. From the first days of the campaign up to the fighting along the Luga Major Dr. Eckinger and his Bataillon constantly formed the foremost Bataillon of a Kampfgruppe. He significantly contributed to the achieved successes through his attitude and aggressiveness on the battlefield.

A few of the dates have been determined from his abundance of military accomplishments. On the 01.07.1941 the Major thrust against strong Soviet forces near Balvi at the head of his Bataillon. Utilizing the element of surprise, he drove right through the middle of the Soviets and then opened fire. Before the Soviets were able to mount a defense they were either killed or scattered.

On the 02.07.1941 he fended off a strong Soviet attack near Vosiliskis that was supported by heavy tanks.

On the 04.07.1941 this brave Bataillon commander secured a crossing over the Welikaja river near Ostrow, and proceeded to build a bridgehead there. He personally intervened in the urban combat at Ostrow with his staff and gave his soldiers a renewed example of his intrepidity.

On the 14.07.1941 Major Dr. Eckinger succeeded in securing a ford over the Luga in the direction of Sabsk. Here too he created a bridgehead and held it until other friendly forces arrived.

On the 10.09.1941 he and his men broke through the outer defensive zone at Leningrad near Purskowa, and thrust through the middle defensive zone east of Duderhof on the following day.

Later he was deployed in the middle sector of the eastern front, and once again Major Dr. Eckinger was able to achieve multiple major successes in this capacity. He secured a railway bridge over the Volga river, however he later died a hero’s death while breaking through the heavily fortified positions near Ujutnoje at the head of his Bataillon. He died while standing in his SPW during combat with enemy tanks. The vehicle burned, and a subsequent investigation of the wreckage revealed that the Iron Cross had been melted.”

48th Award.