Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Schütze (Private)

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1940

in bronze

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmman (Private 1st Class)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

July 24th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

November 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

March 13th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

June 20th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

July 1944

slightly WIA for the 3rd time

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1944

3 times slightly WIA and 2 times severely WIA - 3 fingers amputated

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania", 5. SS-Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

October 16th, 1944

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

“SS-Unterscharführer Franz has participated in all campaigns of the Regiment as a squad leader. His cunning and daring, recognized since the start of the Eastern campaign, unfortunately failed to produce spectacular results most of the time. Thus he only joined the ranks of the famous shock troop leaders in the Regiment at a relatively late date.

It was during the autumn of 1943 that SS-Unterscharführer Franz succeeded in conducting several bold small-unit operations, which at once brought him to the top of the outstanding lone fighters of the Regiment. However it was only on the 18.08.1944 that SS-Unterscharführer Franz had the opportunity to prove his battlefield experience, decisiveness and energy in a truly incredible way. The 18.08.1944 was the culmination of his previous combat operations.

Over the course of several days of hard fighting the Regiment repulsed heavy enemy attacks supported by tanks. However on the night of the 17./18.08.1944 it pulled back to the previously scouted out line Höhe P. Pustelnik—Helenow—Wola Reczajska. From here it could defeat the uninterrupted Soviet attacks from favourable positions.

In the morning hours of the 18.08.1944 the Soviets renewed their attack, again with tanks. Their goal was to penetrate through the frontline of the Division and prevent the planned withdrawal by the Korps that was already underway. The hotspot of the fighting in the Regiment’s sector was at the boundary with SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 10 Westland. Here, after a bitter struggle lasting for hours, the Soviets ultimately achieved a penetration. The commander of the Kompanie that was positioned there fell during an immediately launched counterthrust, which in turn spelled the immediate end of the counterattack. The Soviets now tried to build upon their initial success with swiftly brought up reserves and complete a proper breakthrough. Thanks to the significant friendly losses the situation was quickly turning critical.

SS-Unterscharführer Franz had been wounded at the Kompanie command post by a shot through his lower right leg, and had gone to the main dressing station to seek aid. Now, clearing recognizing events for what they were, he launched a new counterthrust with 3 Sturmgeschützen and 17 Grenadiers. Using the well-covered terrain to their advantage, the group pushed into the flank of the Soviets and began to roll up the hostile elements that had penetrated through the line. A Soviet relief attack launched with 4 Shermans came to naught. SS-Unterscharführer Franz consistently fought at the head of his troops against the bitterly defending Soviets. He personally eliminated several heavy machine-gun nests with hand-grenades and spades. His exemplary élan ensured the attack did not fail. The Soviets were routed and the 1000 metre wide frontline gap to the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 10 Westland was closed.

SS-Unterscharführer Franz would defend this attained line long enough for the Regiment to deploy further reserves and strengthen the friendly line. But by then SS-Unterscharführer was in agony from his previous wound, and had to be taken to the field hospital.

The following enemy materiel was destroyed/captured:

13 heavy machine-guns
7 light machine-guns
9 anti-tank rifles
2 anti-tank guns (4.7 cm)
86 counted enemy dead.

Only the boldness, energy and self-reliance of SS-Unterscharführer Franz was responsible for nipping this potentially devastating Soviet thrust in the bud.

The Regiment holds SS-Unterscharführer Franz as worthy of being decorated with the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”