Hotzy, Theodor

Date of birth:: September 15th, 1920 (Waltrowitz/Moravia, Czechoslovakia)
Date of death:: July 21st, 1994 (Kreuttal/Lower Austria, Austria)
Nationality:: Austrian

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Wachtmeister
Unit:: Zugführer 3. / Divisions-Füsilier-Battaillon (A.A.) 7 / 7.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1944

On the 26.03.1944 a strong enemy attack managed to penetrate the German lines near Nieczatow (in the Pripet Marshes) and set off a number of critical situations. After penetrating through the Soviets stood in the rear of a Ski-Jäger-Regiment that was subordinated to the 7. Infanterie-Division. The road in the area was also interdicted and the way to the German artillery positions was free from opposition. The enemy was halted from making further gains for over an hour until a counterthrust of the Füsilier-Bataillon 7 finally brought relief.

During the course of this counterattack, Wachtmeister Hotzy penetrated into the flank of the Soviets with his Zug and continued to pursue them afterwards of his own accord. In doing so he was able to deprive a portion of the Soviet force of their retreat route, and this enabled the frontally attacking German Schwadron to annihilate this group. Over 250 enemy dead were counted on the battlefield afterwards.

For his role in turning a tactical victory into a crushing one, Hotzy would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.