- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Generalmajor (Brigadier)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur 6.Gebirgs-Division
- Awarded on:
- December 9th, 1944
During the fierce rearguard battles in the German retreat from northern Finland in early October 1944, General Pemsel contributed significantly to escape of major elements of the 20. Gebirgsarmee. In the heavy fighting he personally saw to it that a Soviet pincer movement against the XIX. Gebirgs-Armee-Korps failed, and that the already interdicted Petsamo—Kirkenes road was reopened. Because of his skillful leadership an encirclement of the 6. Gebirgs-Division was prevented, and Pemsel was recognized for this with the award of the Knight’s Cross and a reference in the Wehrmachtbericht of 03.11.1944.