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Mirau, Harry

Date of birth:
April 17th, 1920 (Berlin-Lichtenberg/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
January 17th, 1943 (Stalingrad, Soviet Union)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Harry Mirau was reported missing near Stalingrad on January 1st, 1943. At that moment he had the rank of Obergefreiter. As told he became POW to the Soviets, but since then nothing ever was heard of him. He was formally declared dead in 1992.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:
Richtschütze 3. / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 3
Awarded on:
November 13th, 1942
At the start of October 1942 Gefreiter Mirau was in position with his Pak at the end of a ravine west of Stalingrad. Following a Soviet artillery/mortar barrage, a group of Soviet tanks rolled through. In the battle that ensued Mirau, showing great skill and calm, was able to destroy 14 hostile tanks in the space of just 25 minutes. In doing so he not only played a decisive role in halting the Soviet armoured attack, but also raised the total of tanks destroyed by his Kompanie to 100. For this action he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

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