Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 "De Ruyter", SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade "Nederland", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

December 11th, 1944

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

“The SS-Freiw.Pz.Gren.Rgt. 49 had the task of ejecting enemy forces that had penetrated into the forested terrain north of the Tirs-Purvs swamp, and to close the frontline gap that existed there. Here the II. Bataillon was positioned as the left Bataillon, and it was to thrust through the middle of the forest to the east, then turn southwards and establish contact with the I./49 positioned on the right and the 11. Infanterie-Division on the left.

On the morning of the 16.10.1944 the II./49 made contact with I. Bataillon, and attacked the bridge on the northern side of the swamp with a Kompanie so as to establish contact with the elements of the 11. Infanterie-Division to the west of there. The assault stalled in the face of very strong bunker positions.

The commander of the II./49, SS-Hauptsturmführer Petersen, thus personally went to this Kompanie. After ascertaining the situation he decided that, in spite of the three days of heavy strain his Bataillon had been through (and which at the time had to provide security to the north and east against cut off enemy units and furthermore had occupied the new frontline facing south), he would take another Kompanie out of the line and use it for the attack. By doing this it would be possible to renew the attack against the bridge with 2 Kompanien, and finally establish contact with the 11. Infanterie-Division.

Despite the impossibility of deploying heavy weapons and the difficulty of bringing artillery support to bear, the Bataillon attacked. The enemy defended grimly. As the attack of the Bataillon threatened to stall, SS-Hauptsturmführer Petersen was able to reenergize his men and the unit ultimately captured the bridge following an outstanding display of duty by Petersen. Contact with the left neighbour could not be forged however, as it was itself engaged in bitter combat further west. Upon seeing this SS-Hauptsturmführer Petersen decided to attack beyond his ordered attack objective. Here too Petersen inspired his Bataillon by his own personal example, and the desired contact was eventually established.

Through his initiative SS-Hauptsturmführer Petersen had a decisive share in closing the frontline gap north of the Tirs-Purvs swamp, wherein strong enemy forces were cut off and destroyed. All attempts of the enemy to restore contact with the cut-off elements were repulsed by the Bataillon, which destroyed 3 tanks via close combat weapons in the process.

This recommendation is warmly advocated.”