Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 1st 1914.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 20th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on September 16th 1916.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst

Unit:

293.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

March 14th, 1942

Award 88/1

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur 106.Infanterie-Division / XI.Armee-Korps / 8.Armee / Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

August 29th, 1943

The following press article (dated 15.09.1943) describes the Knight’s Cross action of Generalleutnant Forst…

“At the end of July Generalleutnant Forst, commander of an Infanterie-Division, gave his hard pressed Grenadiers support and courage through his personal example in the foremost line during a heavy Soviet attack along the Donez river. He charged forward in a counterthrust with his hastily rounded up soldiers, threw the Soviets back and created a new defensive line against which all Soviet breakthrough attempts were crushed.”

2057th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 6th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur 106.Infanterie-Division / XXXXVII.Panzer-Korps / 8.Armee / Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

February 22nd, 1944

The following press article (dated 01.03.1944) describes why Forst received the Oakleaves…

“Generalleutnant Forst has always led his Division with success in both attack and defense. In this manner he defended a crossing site over the Dnieper at the end of September 1943 for a week against overwhelming enemy forces, and in doing so he ensured the secure retreat of strong friendly formations across the river. In October he prevented the expansion of an enemy bridgehead on the west bank of the river southeast of Krementschug, a time during which he personally led his reserves in counterthrusts on multiple occasions. The Division achieved a notable success during the bitter combat northeast of Kirovograd in the middle of December 1943. After Generalleutnant Forst had personally conducted the necessary reconnaissance under heavy fire, he deployed his Regiments for attack. He led his Grenadiers at the decisive point with such energy that his troops were able to recapture two toughly defended enemy villages that had been lost in the previous weeks. With this a gap in the German defensive front was almost completely closed, and a serious threat was dealt with.”

407th Award