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Karl, Josef

Date of birth:
December 26th, 1910 (Nürnberg/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
March 31st, 1962 (Bad Tölz/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 26th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 21st, 1943
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier der Reserve
Unit:
Geschützführer 2. / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 49 / 4.Panzer-Division / XXXXVI.Panzer-Korps / 9.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
August 26th, 1943
On the 22.07.1943, near Nowo Slobodka (south of Kromy), Unteroffizier Karl destroyed 11 Soviet tanks with his self-propelled AT gun as well as two hostile AT gun positions. With this he brought his total of destroyed enemy armour to 20. For this success he would receive the Knight’s Cross.

2033rd Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:
Geschützführer 2. / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 49 / 4.Panzer-Division / Heeresgruppe Mitte
Awarded on:
February 16th, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
On the 09.01.1944 Unteroffizier Karl counterattacked an assaulting Soviet infantry battalion on his own initiative east of Kuriditschi (in turn west of Reschiza). With his self-propelled AT gun he crushed the attackers with HE rounds and the mounted MG-42, eliminating the Soviet penetration and throwing them back to their jump-off positions. He would be wounded a few hours later when his vehicle received a direct hit.

By this time he had destroyed a total of 38 enemy tanks as well. For the sum of his achievements he would be awarded the Oakleaves.

397th Award.

Sources

Photo