Warschnauer, Horst (Pio.Bat. 'Großdeutschland')

Date of birth:: December 28th, 1919 (Breslau, Germany)
Date of death:: December 26th, 1948 (British POW-Camp Münster, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
1939: Offiziersanwärter;
April 1st, 1940: Leutnant der Reserve;
April 1st, 1942: Oberleutnant der Reserve;
May 1st, 1943: Hauptmann;
1944: Major.

Career:
October 1st, 1937: Pionier-Bataillon 42;
?: Zugführer Pionier-Bataillon 42;
October 1939 - januari 1940: Offiziersanwärter-Lehrgang;
April 1st, 1940: Zugführer Sturm-Pionier-Bataillon 43;
May 15th, 1942: Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland";
August 8th, 1942: Chef 2. / Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland";
April 1944: Bataillonsführerlehrgang;
?: Führerreserve OKH;
June 1st, 1944: Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37;
October 27th, 1944: Kommandeur Panzerpionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland".

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: Zugführer, Pionier-Bataillon 42, Heer
Awarded on:: October 3rd, 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Zugführer, Sturm-Pionier-Bataillon 43, Heer
Awarded on:: July 5th, 1941

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef 2. Kompanie, Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland" (motorisiert), Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:: December 12th, 1942

Awarded for the resounding success of his company in the battles near Rzhev on 22.09.1942. They stormed the eastern part of the town of Chermassovo and then cleared a strong bunker complex at the cemetery-hill beyond. Within 18 minutes his men eliminated over 120 enemy bunkers and pushed the Soviets back further than his original attack objective.

Wehrmachtbericht

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37, 1. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: August 17th, 1944

Marburger Zeitung Nr. 231, 84. Jahrgang, 18.August 1944

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Kommandeur, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon "Großdeutschland", Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:: February 24th, 1945

In a counterattack near Brandenburg (East Prussia) Warschnauer and his pioneer battalion wrested the town of Maulen from Soviet control in close combat. They then moved to capture a commanding hill position, but the attack initially stalled. Warschnauer, standing upright in a single APC, was able to rally his men and with SMGs and grenades in hand they stormed the hill. 170 Soviet dead were counted in the aftermath, and by this action the pioneers enabled friendly forces to retreat west without interference. Warschnauer was subsequently awarded the Knight's Cross.

753rd Award.

Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

The number awarded Panzervernichtungsabzeichen is not clear yet. Photos suggest he received them for a total of 6 tanks. He probably wears one golden (for 5 tanks) and one silver (for 1 tank) ones.