Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel

Unit:

6. / Grenadier-Regiment 176

Awarded on:

December 6th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer Stabskompanie / Grenadier-Regiment 176 / 61.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

April 5th, 1944

Erich Eisenblätter provides the following first hand account of his Knight’s Cross action…

“During the retreat movements between Leningrad and Narva the Russians succeeded in crossing over to the west bank of the Narva. Here they achieved a considerable penetration that was to be eliminated by a counterattack of the Regiment. As the spatial extent of this penetration was quite large an important gap existed, and I had to close this with my Jagdzug from the Regiment. This was quite unreasonable however as I could not close such a large gap with my handful of men. The result was that we had an open flank that we were constantly being threatened by. The Russians constantly tried to bypass us and achieve a success of their own. However we always mastered the situation until the gap was closed by the Regiment after about 2 days.

The Russians commenced attacks with unprecedented ferocity. Following very heavy fighting our Regiment had to pull back, but in doing so did not have the opportunity to inform me of this movement. Having been left alone with my Zug, the Russians were able to attack us not only in the flanks but also the rear as well. Thus we were totally surrounded. Despite this we were able to break open the ring and fight our way through it following fierce close combat. This movement would prove to be particularly difficult as we were coming out of a forest and could only pull back over open fields. As the enemy were also aware of this they immediately pursued us. I personally covered the retreat with a few men and ordered my remaining comrades to immediately continue falling back and then reorganize from a suitable distance. We had barely pulled back when I commenced a counterthrust with my Zug and achieved a total success.

During the night we were taken out of the line and dispatched to the hotspot of the Regiment’s combat on the next morning. As expected the Russians were attacking here with strong forces. Even though my Zug was only 18-20 men strong we succeeded in repulsing the attack (mostly in close combat) and inflicting heavy losses on the foe. Over 200 enemy dead were counted in front of our section of the front, which was about 100 metres wide. The Russians pulled out and left behind major quantities of weapons and equipment. The enemy attacks were then renewed daily, particular at this position as it was possible to roll up our frontline in both directions from here. However despite all their efforts they were unable to achieve anything of note. During this combat I was wounded on the 01.03.1944.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)