Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 12. / Jäger-Regiment 15 / 5. Jäger-Division

Awarded on:

May 15th, 1944

The following press article describes the actions that led to Feldwebel Fuchs receiving the Knight’s Cross…

“During the fighting along the Kovel—Brest-Litovsk railway line a Feldwebel in a Badisch-Württembergischen Jäger-Regiment, Siegfried Fuchs, particularly distinguished himself with his advance group.

In the fighting around Kovel Feldwebel Fuchs was to thrust along this railway track in a southerly direction with his Jägern and establish contact with a second advance group. However the fulfillment of this mission would be made difficult by a destroyed bridge along the railway embankment, which was covered by heavy MG and mortar fire. Widespread swamplands on either side made a bypassing of this seven metre long destroyed structure impossible.

Feldwebel Fuchs perceived that any attack could easily come to a halt at this position. This realization led him to decide that the destroyed bridge should be captured in a coup-de-main prior to the main attack. Around midnight, despite the landmine obstacles encountered, this structure was crossed successfully. This dangerous position was overcome under the cover of darkness. Utilizing the moment of surprise, Feldwebel Fuchs pursued after the Soviets with his men and created a bridgehead.

When the friendly attack began in the early morning hours the groundwork for its success had already been established with the newly created bridgehead. Despite this there were still many hours of hard close combat before contact with the second advance group was established. Feldwebel Fuchs constantly stood at the head of his assault group during this battle as well. Even after being heavily wounded in both upper arms and in the face, and after losing his right arm through hand grenade and mine splinters, Feldwebel Fuchs waited until the battle was concluded before working his way to the Bataillon command post, on his own and under enemy fire, in order to report on the successful conclusion of the operation.

One day after this battle Feldwebel Fuchs died in a main dressing station as a result of his injuries, having fulfilled his duty as a model fighter up until the last moment.”

Awarded posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)