Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

III. / Infanterie-Regiment 58 / 6.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

October 31st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef 3. / Grenadier-Regiment 58 / 6.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

August 14th, 1943

Deppe’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Oberleutnat Deppe has previously been recommended for the Knight’s Cross in August 1942, specifically for his outstanding bravery during the defensive battles near Rzhev in that same month. However the recommendation was turned down. Instead, Oberleutnant Deppe’s outstanding bravery (upon which the holding of Rzhev significantly depended for a few days) was recognized with the award of the German Cross in Gold on the 23.11.1942.

During the breakthrough battles south of Orel on the 08.07.1943 the reinforced I./Gren.Rgt. 58 assaulted the Racheln northeast of Kutyrki, which had been heavily prepared for defense by the Russians. Following extremely costly fighting in the cornfields, it managed to capture the northern edge of the Racheln with 2 Kompanien. The enemy resistance grew with every minute, and they suddenly launched a counterattack from the Rachel with a reinforced company supported by artillery and aircraft. They struck the right-wing 1. Kompanie, captured territory, and forced the soldiers of the Kompanie to pull back after it had lost its Kompanie commander and Zugführers. In this critical moment the 3. Kompanie, attacking on the left, was assailed by the enemy from the front.

The Kompanie commander, Oberleutnant Deppe, instantly perceived the imminent danger for the Bataillon caused by the successful Russian counterthrust and the retreat of the right neighbouring Kompanie. He decided to deviate from his former mission and ignore the enemy to his front. Instead, taking his few Grenadiers (weakened by the loss of both Zugführers) he veered towards the right and charged into the enemy’s flank with a Hurra in spite of the explosions that rained down all around. Deppe was wounded in the shoulder by a grenade in the resultant close combat, however he continued to energetically lead the attack despite the painful injury. Alternately standing or lying on a Sturmgeschütz, he fired into the attacking Soviets with an MG and inspired his Grenadiers through his shining example. With them he defeated the enemy’s counterthrust against the fought-out and depleted Bataillon. He then immediately pursued the enemy on his own initiative, cleared the heavily fortified Rachel of the enemy remnants and made the furthest advance to the south with his Kompanie, which was drawn up in a small attack wedge. In the process Oberleutnant Deppe was again wounded in the arm, and only gave himself up for medical care after being ordered to do so by the Regiment.

Oberleutnant Deppe’s lightning swift grasp of the situation, independent initiative and outstanding personal bravery had a major influence on the course of the fighting. It enabled the attack of the reinforced I./Gr.Rgt. 58 to reach a point where it was able to eliminate the flanking threat to the left neighbour, permitting the latter to advance further forwards. Also, and especially given the intensity of the battle, it meant that friendly losses were relatively light. Finally it ensured that the Regiment’s breakthrough of the strongly fortified enemy defensive network northwest of Kutyrki was able to succeed for the most part.

The enemy lost about 150 dead. 20 prisoners, 1 Katyusha, 2 anti-tank guns (3.7 cm), 1 heavy machine-gun, 7 anti-tank rifles and numerous small-arms were captured.

Oberleutnant Deppe, a frontline officer who has already distinguished himself multiple times during the current war and has been awarded the German Cross in Gold, once again showed himself to be an exemplary leader during the extremely difficult breakthrough battles south of Orel.

His great success on the 08.07.1943 decisively influenced the further conduct of the combat, and it wouldn’t have been possible without his bold initiative and extraordinary personal bravery. His actions here clearly mark him as worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)