- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberst (Colonel)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 15
- Awarded on:
- January 31st, 1941
Streich would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for the actions of his Regiment during latter stages of the Battle of France. The British were trying to evacuate their soldiers from the small community of Veules-les-Roses, just east of Le Havre. Streich’s Panzer-Regiment 15 attempted to enter the town on the 11.06.1940, but accurate anti-tank fire prevented this. Streich decided on a night attack, and the gamble paid off. By the morning of the 12.06.1940 Streich’s Panzers were firing on the remaining Allied ships in the harbour, and the soldiers that had not been evacuated surrendered. Streich’s Regiment claimed to have taken 26,000 English and French prisoners, including the French division commander Général Durant and two brigade commanders.