Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of reserves)

Unit:

2. / Kradschützen-Bataillon 3

Awarded on:

May 8th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Kommandeur Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3 / 3.Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1943

In the late stages of the battle of Kursk the 3. Panzer-Division was threatened by a large open flank to the west, and its commanders feared a Soviet attack from this direction. However their concerns were not taken seriously by the higher commands and only minimal forces were made available to cover an attack from this direction. When the Soviet armoured attack did eventually materialize there was a very real danger it would have threatened the rear areas of the entire 4. Panzer-Armee were it not for the actions of Hauptmann Deichen. On his own initiative he took charge of one Kompanie of light SPWs and one of self-propelled Pak and drove into the Soviet flank, causing casualties in both tanks and men but more importantly buying time for the Division to establish a new defensive line facing towards the west. For his decisiveness at a critical moment Deichen was awarded the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)