Kraus, Rupert (Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment 'HG')

Date of birth:: July 15th, 1917 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:: May 31st, 1993 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

in silver

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:: Führer, 2. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment 'Hermann Göring'
Awarded on:: November 30th, 1944

Oberleutnant Kraus received the Knight's Cross following the battles in East Prussia in October 1944. At the time of the fighting he was a leader in 2./Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment "Hermann Göring", a tank company equipped with Panthers. He and his Panzers tore a gap in the advancing Soviet forces and participated in a meeting engagement with Russian armour in the village of Kassuben. A total of 14 tanks were encountered of which all were destroyed. He then held the village against further heavy attacks, despite being threatened with encirclement. Following three days of fighting, by the 22.10.1944 Kraus's company had been credited with the destruction of about 40 tanks, 30 anti-tank guns and a battalion of infantry. It was for this defensive success that he was later awarded the Knight's Cross.