Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 1. Kompanie, Fallschirm-Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Hermann Göring", Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier-Division 2 "Hermann Göring", Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

November 30th, 1944

Karl-Heinz Wallhäuser had been assigned command of a company of Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyers when his division was transferred to the Eastern front. During the first round of fighting, on 9 August, he created the preconditions for the establishment of a new defensive line by repelling Russian advances and launching spoiling attacks of his own. His greatest success was near Studziansk, where he counterattacked and captured a Russian-held village, destroying six tanks as well as several anti-tank and infantry positions. Two of these tanks were destroyed by Wallhäuser himself despite his gunner being being put out of action.n the fighting in East Prussia later on that year, on 26 October, Wallhäuser's tank destroyers engaged a major Russian tank force and was able to drive it back to its starting line, collecting stragglers along the way. When the neighbouring unit was forced to retreat he counterattacked into the Russians' flank, recapturing the position and inflicting approximately 300 casualties. This defensive success prevented a Russian breakthrough towards Gumbinnen, and Wallhäuser was later awarded the Knight's Cross for this action.