Awarded on:

December 1st, 1937

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 1st, 1937

Awarded on:

January 30th, 1938

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 27th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 27th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 30th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Unit:

Pionier-Offizier, Stab, Kampfgruppe “SS-Reich”

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1942

based on a recommendation dated 28.05.1942 and signed by Pionier-Bataillon Kdr. Ferdinand Tietz; approved by Kampfgruppe Fhr. Werner Ostendorff

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich", Heeresgruppe B

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1944

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

“SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling led the Pionier-Bataillon of the 2. SS-Pz.Div. ‘Das Reich’ for 2 years, and thereafter took over command of the I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 2 ‘Das Reich’ on the 29.06.1944 following retraining. SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling is a tactically capable and unquestionably brave commander, and has achieved commendable service on behalf of the Division. Back in December 1943 the former divisional commander considered recommending him for the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross on account of an outstanding deed of bravery he performed.

On the 13.07.1944 the enemy attacked the right neighbour, namely the SS-Gren.Rgt. 37, with strong infantry forces. They succeeded in achieving three frontline penetrations, which gave rise to considerable fears for a breakthrough here. At this time SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling and his Abteilung were being used for tank defense in our own divisional sector. The Abteilung only had 2 Panzers in position at the boundary with the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div. ‘Götz v. Berlichingen’ in order to clean up any penetrations made in that area.

At around 15:00 SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling received word that the enemy had already reached Le Canal with their foremost elements, as the attached sketch makes clear. He thereby made the decision to move against these hostile elements with the meagre forces available to him in order to engage and destroy the enemy. SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling went forth with 3 Panthers, 1 Pionier squad and 1 motorcycle squad. In a fierce and energetically led thrust he succeeded in throwing the enemy out of Le Canal, and went on to destroy major enemy elements in a pursuit to the east all the way past Auxais.

By around 20:00 this maneuver had been completed, and the frontline east of Auxais was once again in friendly hands. After this SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling commenced a new attack towards the north. Over the course of a battle that lasted long into the night he pushed the enemy back to the Chateau d’Auxais. A further thrust was no longer possible at this stage given the minor forces available to him, and so follow-up friendly infantry occupied the security line here.

Success of this operation:

Destroyed: 6 anti-tank guns, 8 MGs, 12 bazookas, 250 dead.
Captured: 2 anti-tank guns, 3 trucks, 1 B-Krad, 1 radio device, 18 prisoners.

It was learned from prisoner statements that 2 enemy battalions had been attacking. The enemy’s intended deep breakthrough to Periers only failed thanks to the energetic and decisive intervention of SS-Sturmbannführer Enseling. Without his help the SS-Gren.Rgt. 37 would have been lost.”

based on a recommendation dated 15.07.1944 and signed by Rgt. Kdr. Christian Tychsen - Submitted on August 3rd 1944.
Preliminary document and decoration on September 7th 1944 to Heeresgruppe B.