Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 22nd, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 19th, 1941

237th Award

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer 1. / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division / XXIV.Panzer-Korps / Panzergruppe 2 / Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

September 8th, 1941

473rd Award.
Submitted on July 22nd 1941.
Preliminary document on September 9th 1941 to AOK 4.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann

Unit:

I./Panzer-Regiment 35

Awarded on:

May 5th, 1943

Award 369/1

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur I. / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division / XXXXVI.Panzer-Korps / 9.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

August 29th, 1943

The following press article describes why Cossel was awarded the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross…

“During the course of the fighting around Orel and Ssewsk he distinguished himself again in such a way that he would later be awarded the German Cross in Gold on the 05.05.1943. This Panzer commander, known throughout his Division for his boldness and determination, was employed in the area south of Orel with his Abteilung at the start of the major offensive there. He and his Abteilung penetrated deep into the enemy defensive system, and by doing so he simultaneously secured another Panzer-Division against a hostile enemy armoured attack already being launched into its flank. In his sector he and his Abteilung made the farthest southward advance, and they went on to hold their conquered positions all on their own. A few days later he rallied all available infantry forces on his own initiative and thereafter led these with such skill against the enemy that an important hill was taken with both minimal friendly casualties and extremely high enemy losses. Some time later, in the midst of a critical situation, he deployed his Abteilung to secure friendly columns against enemy armour. He then swiftly decided to go over from a retreat movement to an attack of his own which threw the enemy back. In the fighting which followed he captured a village and held it until relief arrived. A few days later it was once again his Abteilung that prevented a Soviet breakthrough. He died a hero’s death as he was giving orders for a counterthrust. However his Abteilung was nonetheless able to achieve a total success while carrying out his final orders.”

The important hill described in this article was Point 254.5, and the day on which he captured it was the 19.07.1943.

285th Award.
Submitted on August 25th 1943.
Preliminary document on August 30th 1943 to stv.Kdo.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)