Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Stab Grenadier-Regiment 417

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 8. Kompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 417, 168. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 17th, 1945

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

“Oberleutnant Burkhardt, commander of the 4./Gren.Rgt. 417, particularly distinguished himself through outstanding bravery while serving as the acting Bataillon commander during the fighting for Sonnenberg (along the Neisse river) on the 15.-16.03.1945.

On the 15.03.1945 the I./Gren.Rgt. 417 prepared itself for a counterattack in Sonnenberg. However as it did so the enemy were swiftly expanding their penetration southeast of Grottkau with strong forces, and they thrust into Sonnenberg. The Bataillon commander was wounded, and in this challenging situation Oberleutnant Burkhardt took over command of the Bataillon. Showing the highest devotion to duty, he and his men recaptured the village after bitter urban combat while destroying 3 tanks in close combat.

After this the enemy encircled the village. The security elements adjacent to the Bataillon were pushed back. In order to prevent an enemy penetration to the south, Oberleutnant Burkhardt decided to hold Sonnenberg and let himself be encircled within the village. After several company-sized attacks had been fended off on the evening of the 15.03.1945 the enemy commenced a decisive assault against Sonnenberg at 03:00 on the 16.03.1945 after a heavy artillery preparation. 9 tanks rolled into the village. A bitter battle developed in the darkness. From roofs and windows, from basements and house extensions, Oberleutnant Burkhardt and his men defended bitterly. One tank after another was destroyed with Panzerfausts. The enemy lost 6 T-34s on this night due to close combat weapons. The remaining 3 pulled back, and the attack was defeated.

During the morning hours of the same day the enemy once again tried to enter the village with 2 tanks. However both of them were knocked out in close combat. The enemy stopped attacking after that.

In the midday hours of the 16.03.1945 Oberleutnant Burkhardt fought his way through enemy lines back to the 5 km distant friendly positions. He had ultimately managed to hold the village for 18 hours against an aggressive foe and destroyed 11 tanks with his Bataillon.

By allowing himself to be encircled in Sonnenberg Oberleutnant Burkhardt succeeded in tying down strong Soviet forces. His exemplary and brave disposition had inspired his men to the highest will to resist in critical situations, and this resulted in the enemy taking heavy losses. By doing this he played a major role in preventing a strong enemy thrust into the deep open flank of the Korps and enabling a new resistance line to be built up along the road Friedland—Grüben—Neisse.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)