- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major
- Unit:
- Kommandeur I./Infanterie-Regiment 54 / 18. Infanterie-Division
- Awarded on:
- July 4th, 1940
The following press excerpt describes why Chrobek was awarded the Knight’s Cross…
“Major Bruno Chrobek distinguished himself as a particularly fearless and purposeful leader during the operations in Belgium and northern France. On the evening of the 26.05.1940 Major Chrobek found himself confronting a difficult mission while he was fighting at the Ypres Canal. He was ordered to thrust to the edge of Zillebeke, but as he did so he encountered unexpectedly heavy enemy resistance. However he mastered the situation, being the man to personally lead the Kompanien against the enemy and direct the heavy weapons into effective firing positions. He was up against the Royal Scots Regiment (which had been brought up by truck), a particularly brave and skillful enemy force. Over the course of the day he and his Bataillon fought hard against the superior enemy fire, and eventually they were able to storm the forest while inflicting heavy losses on the foe. The strong leadership personality of Major Chrobek repeatedly came to the fore during this battle. During the later battle at Dunkirk he significantly contributed to the capitulation of the enemy through the advance of his Bataillon and his repeatedly executed attacks.”
The Dunkirk action took place on the 03.06.1940.
Decoration No 118.