Awarded on:

April 1939

Unit:

LSSAH

Awarded on:

1939

Unit:

LSSAH

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

LSSAH

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, LSSAH

Awarded on:

April 18th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, LSSAH

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, LSSAH

Awarded on:

December 3rd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, LSSAH

Awarded on:

August 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 14.(MG) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler”, Heersgruppe D

Awarded on:

May 14th, 1944

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

“On the 27.11.1943 the reinforced III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 1 ‘LSSAH’ had the mission of attacking and ejecting those enemy forces that were located in Forst Bulytschety. The northeastern edge of the forest located 1500 metres south of Bulytschety was selected as the jump-off point for the attack on the village, and after this had been cleared of the enemy the attack on the village itself was launched by 2 infantry Kompanien with Sturmgeschütz support. Meanwhile the 14.(MG)/SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 1 was ordered to occupy a position north of the road that led towards Bulytschety from the southeast. This would put the Kompanie 500-600 metres to the southeast of the village, and from here it was to provide support for the attack of the Bataillon.

However several Sturmgeschütze were put out of action by landmines, and the planned support by the friendly heavy weapons and artillery failed to materialize due to the loss of radio communications (this was caused by a sudden, major snowstorm). These factors led to the very real possibility that the attack of the Bataillon would bog down. As the enemy were no longer pinned down by our own fire, they in turn mercilessly hammered the attacking Bataillon with several artillery batteries of their own as well as numerous MGs and 6 anti-tank guns (7.62 cm) that were positioned on the southeastern edge of the village.

SS-Untersturmführer Nowotnik (commander of 14. Kompanie) perceived the gravity of the situation, and so he took a Zug from his unit and set out towards the eastern flank of the enemy position in order to bring relief to the Bataillon. This caused the enemy to redirect the bulk of their fire upon SS-Untersturmführer Nowotnik and his Zug. In particular, the enemy had all of their 7.62 cm guns begin direct fire against the advancing Grenadiers. The enemy gunners even fired upon individual soldiers.

This powerful defense almost stopped the attack of Nowotnik’s Zug dead in its tracks. In this critical moment SS-Untersturmführer Nowotnik demonstrated heroic bravery, and he stormed against the enemy position far ahead of the Zuge of his Kompanie. His men were inspired by the example of their leader, and so SS-Untersturmführer Nowotnik and his men were able to enter into the enemy position. This allowed the attack of the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 1 ‘LSSAH’ to begin making progress once again, and the village was ultimately captured.

Prior to this the enemy position at Bulytschety had provided the foe with a commanding view on all sides, included the single crossing over the river Belka (located about 1200 metres south of Bulytschety) that had recently been wrested from the enemy’s possession. The seizure of the key position at Bulytschety was an essential step for the development of the offensive action currently being conducted by the 1. Regiment, and by extension the entire ‘LSSAH’. The swift success of the attack against Bulytschety is one that would not have been possible without SS-Untersturmführer Nowotnik.

SS-Untersturmführer Nowotnik was badly wounded on the 08.12.1943. Nowotnik has proven himself as a soldier by any conceivable measure, and also possesses a noble and virtuous spirit. He is worthy of the recommended high award.”