Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1941

for action during the battle of Moscow

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1943

destroyed 2 T-34 the 14.07.1943 : one with Hafthohlladung and the other with with hand-grenades

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1943

destroyed 2 T-34 the 14.07.1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1943

WIA 7 times : 21.12.1941 - 14.07.1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugtruppführer, 9. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer", 2. SS-Panzer-Division 'Das Reich'

Awarded on:

August 14th, 1943

The following wartime excerpt describes why Grascher would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“During the attack north of Belgorod on 14.07.943, SS-Unterscharführer Grascher, along with his Zug, stormed strongly fortified Russian field positions at the railroad near Belenichino. When the attack had advanced to the edge of the built-up area it came to a halt under extremely heavy infantry, mortar and anti-tank gunfire and bogged down.

In particular, flanking fire from two T-34 tanks and several bunkers caused heavy losses to the Kompanie. With heroic courage and disregarding the heavy defensive fire, Grascher knocked out two bunkers plus several rifle positions and machine-gun nests. As a result, he was able to get close enough to one T-34 to destroy it with a hollow charge. The second tank, which was also nearby and continuously fired into the Kompanie's flank, was in a somewhat covered position behind a building. Although SS-Unterscharführer Grascher had neither hollow charges nor Teller mines, he nevertheless fought his way to the tank and knocked it out with a hand grenade when the crew momentarily opened a hatch.

As the fighting continued, his Kompanie commander was put out of action. Although more senior NCOs were present, he assumed command of the Kompanie on his own initiative and led the attack on the built-up area in an exemplary fashion. Always leading from the front, he and the Kompanie continued to knock out field positions until the objective of the attack was taken. In doing so, he had a decisive share in the capture of Belenichino, which was the jump-off point for a further successful attack.”

Awarded posthumously.