Degel, Franz
- Date of birth:
- August 7th, 1920 (Regensburg/Bavaria, Germany)
- Date of death:
- June 10th, 1946 (Großenpinning/Bavaria, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
In more older sources the name is mostly spelled as Franz Degl. Also sometimes is stated that Franz Degle was an Austrian, born on 3th February 1915 in Karlsbad, Austrian-Hungarian Empire and passed away on 15th November 1990 in Neu Ulm, Bavaria. New research by Veit Scherzer and the comemmorative plaque of Franz Degel however seem to confirm the here used data. If readers here can confirm any data by primary sources, these would be very welcome.
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Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Gefreiter
- Unit:
- 8. / Infanterie-Regiment 62. / 7.Infanterie-Division
- Awarded on:
- May 25th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Unteroffizier
- Unit:
- Gruppenführer 8. / Grenadier-Regiment 62 / 7.Infanterie-Division
- Awarded on:
- October 9th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Unteroffizier der Reserve (Corporal of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Gruppenführer 8. / Grenadier-Regiment 62 / 7.Infanterie-Division
- Awarded on:
- October 23rd, 1944
“On the 14.10.1944 the then Unteroffizer and MG squad leader Degl held a strongpoint of vital importance for the continued combat in the area. Fighting with two heavy machine-guns and two medium mortars, he did this on his own initiative and in an almost hopeless situation. After a 90 minute drumfire the enemy broke through at the Rozan—Ostenburg road near Laski with two regiments, and they pressed on northwards through the forest. Friendly forces were pushed out of the wood towards the north. Both of Degl’s MGs had lost their tripods in the heavy artillery barrage, however despite this he and his 10 men proceeded to hold off the enemy at an 80-100 metre range with their two MGs (now in the light machine-gun role) and two medium mortars. They fought fearlessly, and did not allow themselves to join the other fleeing soldiers. And amazingly their defensive fire pinned down the enemy force, which was about 2 battalions strong. Only his steadfastness here managed to stabilize the front long enough for the retreating friendly units to rally around Point 107 (a commanding hill, and one decisive for the fighting in the area) and create a firm line of defense. Only after this rearward line had been created did Degl and his squad retreat towards the north to join the retreating neighbouring units. Despite the heavy enemy fire they also took along their six heavily wounded men in an unquestioning display of comradeship.”
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1998.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
- Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001
- Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum
- Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
Photo
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