Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 23rd, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 2nd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 79, 16. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

January 23rd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 15th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 20th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 79, 16. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 4th, 1944

Description action:
“On the 10.08.1944 the Russians succeeded in crossing the Vistula river at Baranow (in the Sandomir area). Our frontline was torn open and the danger existed that a further enemy advance would get as far as the Upper Silesian industrial area. As such it was necessary to eliminate the Russian bridgehead before it could be used for such a purpose. At this moment the 16. Panzer-Division was put on the highest alert, and was ordered by the OKH to conduct a 350 km forced march from around Stanislau to the Chmielnik area (90 km northeast of Krakau).

I was the commander of the lead Kampfgruppe, which consisted of my Panzergrenadier-Bataillon I./79 reinforced by a Kompanie of Panthers from Panzer-Regiment 2 and a Kompanie from the Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 15. I received the mission to immediately advance eastwards in the direction of the Vistula river after reaching Chmielnik. The first attack objective was Staszow. There I was to build a bridgehead over the Czarna and hold it open for the further advance of the Division, which was arriving behind me in a piecemeal fashion.

At about 17:00 on the 11.08.1944 I reached Chmielnik with my Kampfgruppe and immediately commenced an attack towards the east from the march. We succeeded in surprising and crushing the weak Russian outposts. Following a swift thrust the ~40 km distant attack objective, the bridge over the Czarna at Staszow, was reached and taken at around 19:00. The Russians had clearly intended to continue their own advance towards the west, and had not made any preparations to blow up the bridge. The bridge was also only weakly guarded, with the result that our mission of constructing a bridgehead could be carried out.

At this moment 8 King Tigers under the command of Major Legat reached us. These reinforcements greatly boosted the morale of the men, and I suggested to capitalize on the evening conditions and continue to advance towards the Vistula. However Major Legat declared that he urgently had to rearm and refuel, making a continuation of the attack impossible. Darkness descended onto the landscape, and it was unthinkable to take the Panzers out onto this rugged and partially swampy terrain at night. Therefore we set up for defense.

During the night a supply column with fuel and ammunition reached us, and we were therefore able to refuel and rearm the Panzers. This was completed by around midnight. Things were now calm, and we marvelled at the prevailing stillness of the moment. No artillery, no aircraft, nothing disturbed us, nothing was to be heard. The attack plans for the next day were discussed with the Kompanie commanders and the commander of the Tigers. We wondered as to why the follow-up divisional elements had not yet arrived. But perhaps it was not so surprising, as there was no telling how scattered these elements had become over the course of the long march.

We therefore decided not to wait for the arrival of additional elements. Instead we decided to once again move out at first light on the 12.08.1944. However nothing ended up going as we expected.

It suddenly became quite lively on the enemy’s side at around 01:00 in the night. It was clear that the Russians were aware of our aims and were taking their own preemptive measures. They probably knew of the fact that they no longer had to fear German air attacks, and we clearly saw how they were bringing up heavy weapons into position. Where was the divisional artillery? Where were the forward observers? One radio message after another was unanswered. However we did receive one clear message: ‘Hold your attained position.’

Now the Russians also began to probe our positions with infantry forces. It was clear that the surprise effect of our advance was gone. We stood opposite an enemy that was ready to defend. Morning broke, and at around 04:00 the Russians began a heavy barrage with heavy mortars. Heavy anti-tank guns also opened fire, but their rounds bounced off one of the King Tigers. At the same time the Russians attacked our positions with infantry. The situation was critical. Where were the follow-up elements of the 16. Panzer-Division? Every single radio request was turned down, and the reply was always the same: ‘Hold your attained position!’

The Russians clearly had no tanks available to them. However they had built up a strong blocking position that would not possibly be broken without artillery support. At around 09:00 on the 12.08.1944 we received the following radio message from the Division: ‘Kampfgruppe I./79 with its subordinated Panzer-Kompanie and Panzer-Pionier-Kompanie is to hold its attained positions. The subordinated Tigers are to be withdrawn for the creation of a new assault spearhead, and Hauptmann Schiller’s Panzer-A.A. 16 will be subordinated to you.’

The rearward march of the Tigers must have convinced the Russians that the Kampfgruppe wished to withdraw, and so they immediately began a pursuit. Heavy close combat flared up. The Russians managed to break in at some locations and had to be thrown back with counterattacks! Heavy battles noises were likewise heard to the left of us in the direction of Szydlow. Suddenly loud motor noises were heard in the air, heavy Russian air activity was beginning to commence.

A short pause in the battle took place, however at around midday the Russians renewed their attack following a fire preparation from their heavy mortars. Ferocious close combat and penetrations once again came to the fore. The crisis reached its high water mark when Hauptmann Düppenbecker was heavily wounded by shots in both thighs and became a casualty. But at the same moment the II./79 and the regimental staff entered the fight!

All this time the Russians were utilizing the opportunity to dig-in, and they had built up such a strong position in the Baranow bridgehead that it was no longer possible to compress this bridgehead with the weak forces of the 16. Panzer-Division. However the steadfastness of the commander of Kampfgruppe I./79 and the holding of the positions along the Czarna made it possible to create a new position on the western heights of the Czarna. Although it was not possible to throw back the Russians across the Vistula, the enemy’s opportunity to continue their advance towards the border of the Reich was similarly denied. These positions were held until the 12.01.1945.

Hauptmann Düppenbecker, who was meanwhile transferred to a reserve hospital in Waldenburg (Silesia), was awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross on the 04.10.1944 for his actions at the Baranow bridgehead. He was also promoted to the rank of Major, effective from the 01.10.1944.”