Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 5th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

I. / Grenadier-Regiment 411

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Führer Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

April 14th, 1945

Awarded for the leadership of his Regiment during the Fifth Battle of Courland, a battle in which his unit was positioned at Lake Lemzeres (southeast of Frauenburg).

On the first day of battle the Soviets lost 41 dead and several prisoners following a counterthrust led by Dederichs. On the second day Dederichs launched another such counterthrust with 14 men and 2 Sturmgeschützen, cleared a wood in bitter close combat and retook an important village. On the third day he and a reserve unit repelled the attack of a Soviet company whose spearhead had already reached his command post. They launched a counterthrust that retook the old frontline, and in the process an IS-2 tank was destroyed by a friendly Sturmgeschütz. On the fourth day Major Dederichs was wounded in the knee and face during another counterattack, however he remained in the line and ensured that the situation on this day was likewise stabilized.

It was only two days after this, after he had received his fourth wound in just two weeks, that Dederichs handed over the leadership of his Regiment and allowed himself to be taken away.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)