Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

stellvertretender Zugführer Pionier-Zug/Stabskompanie I. / Grenadier-Regiment 431

Awarded on:

November 29th, 1944

On the 25.10.1944 the Soviets broke through the defenses of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 431 (positioned south of Neu-Bodenhausen) on a width of about 1200 meters. Following their penetration they only had a short distance to go before they would reach the Goldap—Treuburg road.

However before this could take place Oberfeldwebel Steinhoff counterattacked from the flank with his Pionier Zug at 16:30. Fighting at the head of his men, Steinhoff undertook the clearing of one trench position after another, with the opponent unable to stop him. He personally eliminated a Soviet mortar crew as well as various other positions. The remaining Soviets fled, and by 18:00 the old defensive line was recaptured.

But Steinhoff wasn't finished just yet. Taken advantage of the Soviet confusion, he thrust towards the east with only 4 men and managed to capture a dominating hilltop occupied by the Soviets, eliminating 3 MG nests in close combat. Despite numerous Soviet counterattacks in both company and battalion strength, Steinhoff was able to hold his newly won ground with the help of newly arrived reinforcements.

This hilltop position, located south of Goldap, would prove crucial for the defense of this area against further Soviet breakthrough attempts on the following days. It also served as the base from which the Germans were able to eventually launch their own counterattack towards Neu-Bodenhausen and Hill 199, culminating in the recapture of Goldap.

Steinhoff thus played a major part in the eventual German success in this area, in addition to his success in defeating the Soviet penetration attempt. As such he was rewarded for his efforts with the Knight's Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)