- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, Heeres-Flak-Abteilung 314, Heer
- Awarded on:
- May 9th, 1945
Fleischer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…
“In the evening hours of the 27.03.1945 the enemy penetrated into Nyirad with strong infantry and tank forces. To prevent a further advance of the enemy towards the south, which would lead them into the flank of the divisions of the IV. SS-Panzer-Korps and the Kavallerie-Korps, friendly infantry were dispatched to the southern edge of the woods south of Nyirad. Major Fleischer and his weak Heeres-Flak-Art. Abt. 314 had the mission of guarding against broken-through enemy tanks coming in from the north from their own positions along both sides of the road at Ujderogs. They were to later pull back alongside the friendly infantry. But following the retreat of the friendly infantry Major Fleischer decided to continue to hold his positions on his own initiative, despite the lack of infantry support and the toughly prosecuted enemy attacks. Through his outstanding personal bravery he inspired his men to hold on time and again. His unit ultimately destroyed 3 enemy tanks and 2 enemy battalions. By this he enabled the divisions of the IV. SS-Panzer-Korps and the Kavallerie-Korps to withdraw.
I recommend Major Fleischer for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
Rudol Fleischer's nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 28-3-1945. Major Joachim Domaschk approved the nomination but no Heerespersonalamt-Verleihungsvorschlag (HPA-VV— Army Staff Office Nomination Recommendation) was created and no further information was noted. The order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) processed this case in 1983/1984 and decided "Knight's Cross yes, 13-4-1945". According to the OdR the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel later changed the presentation date to 9-5-1945. Fleischer was a member of the OdR.