Vehse, Fritz

Date of birth:: April 23rd, 1924 (Berlin-Mariendorf/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:: March 4th, 2018 (Grömitz/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:: stellvertretender Gruppenführer 3. / Pionier-Battaillon 342
Awarded on:: October 4th, 1944

During the fighting east of Cholm the 3./Pionier-Bataillon 342 had the mission of securing its’ Division's 7 km long open flank. Before the security line was completed however the Soviets succeeded in breaking through and capturing a section of the road leading to Cholm. The Pioniers had to fight hard in the course of these battles.

One of these individuals was Gefreiter Fritz Vehse. He first held a position with his MG with fierce determination until he ran out of ammunition. After he had returned to the rear to acquire more, he joined a counterattack being launched in the area. Fighting at the front of the formation, and shooting his MG from the hip, he eliminated several Soviet MG nests despite the heavily wooded terrain.

In a further counterattack he was able to take out the crew of a Soviet anti-tank gun that was holding up the advance of his comrades through well aimed bursts of fire. Following this Gefreite Vehse and his men turned around the gun and, despite having no training in its operation, were able to figure out how it worked and used it to defeat several hostile counter thrusts.

For his accomplishments in this battle Vehse was decorated with the Knight's Cross.