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Schreiber, Josef

Date of birth:
December 24th, 1919 (Mindersdorf/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:
January 28th, 1945
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Sergeant)
Unit:
7./Infanterie-Regiments 14
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
Unit:
Zugführer 4./Sturm-Regiment 14/78. Sturm-Division
Awarded on:
March 31st, 1943
On the 08.03.1943 the Soviet 70th Army launched a 9-hour long onslaught against Sturm-Regiment 14, which was defending positions south of Orel near Dmitrowsk. During this fight Schreiber’s Zug, consisting of two squads, was charged with defending Hill 266.0, an invaluable position for its commanding view of the Nessa valley. The Soviets assaulted the hill in up to regimental strength a total of eleven times during the night, but were repulsed every time. For his Zug’s epic defense of this feature, Schreiber was awarded the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
Zugführer 7. / Sturm-Regiment 14 / 78.Sturm-Division
Awarded on:
October 5th, 1943
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for his actions during the summer of 1943. On the 11.07.1943 Schreiber and his Zug (consisting of 25 men) were able to capture 15 bunkers and 90 prisoners during their attack on the Trossna depression. The next day they succeeded in capturing Hill 255.6.

Later, on the 03.08.1943, Schreiber and his Zug found themselves involved in the fight for the so called Black Line. In the sector right of his position the Soviets succeeded in occupying the German trenches with 2 companies worth of men. Without delay, Schreiber and his Zug counterattacked them and were able to recapture the old positions, thereafter defeating Soviet attempts to take the area once again.

On 14.08.1943 Schreiber was temporarily assigned command of 7. Kompanie while it was located near Karachev. Tasked to operate as a rearguard on a hill in a cornfield, he instead decided to bypass and attack the surprised Soviets from behind. He and his men proceeded to drive the Soviets into a ravine and force their surrender there. A week later, he managed to destroy the last T-34 that had penetrated into his Kompanie’s position and drove the attacking Soviet infantry back 100 metres in a counterattack.

309th Award.

Sources

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