Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

II. / Infanterie-Regiment 519

Awarded on:

October 27th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 519 / 296. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

April 6th, 1943

In early 1943 Druffner’s Regiment was locked in heavy defensive combat north of Orel. In this time Druffner launched a successful counterattack against a bitterly defending Soviet force that outnumbered him 3-1. After recapturing a commanding hill he carried on the attack beyond the ordered attack objective and in doing so eliminated a potential threat to the flank. Druffner would subsequently be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his action.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 519 / 296. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

November 30th, 1943

Druffner and his Regiment once again found themselves in the Orel area during the summer of 1943. On one occasion, when enemy forces penetrated the lines to the right of the Regiment and threatened the flank and rear of the neighbouring Bataillon, Druffner took his reserve Kompanie and eliminated this threat to the neighbouring Bataillon.

During another counterattack he led his handful of Grenadiers into an enemy occupied village, threw the surprised Soviets out and pursued them onto the hills on either side of the village. This sudden strike created a breach in the Soviet defensive network through which a friendly counterthrust achieved a total success. Druffner would be heavily wounded two days later, but he had by then made such an impression that he would be awarded the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross.

343rd Award.
Awarded posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)