Eilers, Adolf

Date of birth:: October 13th, 1907 (Mainz/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:: March 28th, 1981 (Neustadt an der Aisch/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Adolf Eilers reached the rank of Oberstleutnant.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Grenadier-Regiment 184, 251. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: September 10th, 1944

On the 25.07.1944 the ragtag Kampfgruppe Eilers received the unenviable task of securing the threatened crossroads near Krzewicaund, a place which offered the only major retreat route to the north in this area. During the morning hours of the next day Kampfgruppe Eilers succeeded in launching a determined counterthrust with an infantry Kompanie and 2 Paks that managed to throw the Soviets back to their assembly areas despite their bitter resistance. Heavy losses were inflicted in the process, including a Soviet tank.

After this Kampfgruppe Eilers (consisting of two weak Kompanien and elements of Eilers’ staff) was able to hold out against a regimental sized Soviet infantry force with tank support. Soviet attacks were launched from three sides during this time. Eventually, on the fifth day of battle (the 29.07.1944) the last gun of the subordinated Pak-Zug was knocked out. Kampfgruppe Eilers thus disengaged on the evening of the same day, having fulfilled its mission of covering the withdrawal of German units north of the road.

Major Eilers would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this successful defensive stand.