Vickendey, Willi

Date of birth:: January 25th, 1921 (Grasleben/Braunschweig, Germany)
Date of death:: January 21st, 1955 (Ehmen / Wolfsburg, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Gruppenführer, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Skijäger-Regiment 1, 1. Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: September 17th, 1944

In the last days of July 1944 the 1. Skijager-Division was in the process of withdrawing to the west over the Vistula at Annopol. Simultaneously, Soviet forces were attempting to establish themselves on the west bank of the river. Recognizing the seriousness of these advances, Vickendey decided to make a defensive line between Annopol and Ostrowiece with his men. From here he and his troops were able to fight successfully against the Soviets until reinforcements were brought up. Through this action, Vickendey and his troops played a major role in the stabilization of the German front, and Vickendey himself was consequently decorated with the Knight's Cross.