Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

I. / Infanterie-Regiment 480

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 480

Awarded on:

September 4th, 1943

The first version of Friker’s Knight’s Cross recommendation was composed on the 19.08.1943, and reads as follows…

“On the evening of the 18.08.1943 the enemy launched a surprise attack that penetrated the frontline along a breadth of 1.5 km. The exhausted friendly infantry were pushed back. Contact with the scattered Bataillon staff no longer existed. Oberst Friker rallied officers and men from his regimental staff, supply personnel and individual stragglers. Leading at the head of this last reserve of the Regiment, he threw back the broken-in enemy in an hours long forest battle that was costly for both sides. Then, under heavy enemy fire, he reorganized the scattered elements that were still engaged in the foremost line, and with these he established a new defensive line. The crisis was thereby remedied by the decisiveness and fearless bravery of Oberst Friker. It is furthermore principally to his credit that an enemy attack launched in the early morning hours of the next day with two regiments came to naught.”

While this was being processed the same author submitted a second part to the recommendation on the 27.08.1943 highlighting additional acts of bravery by Oberst Friker…

“In the morning hours of the 20.08.1943 an enemy tank-supported attack penetrated through the left wing of the Regiment 480. Oberst Friker struck back with his weak reserves (the regimental Pionier-Zug, supply troops of the staff and some stragglers), fought in the foremost line during the bitter close combat and restored the situation. In the afternoon hours the enemy launched an additional thrust (again supported by tanks) through the gap between Friker’s Regiment and the left neighbouring Division.

Oberst Friker, who had been stripped of all his reserves, pulled out his right-wing Bataillon (which was likewise involved in heavy defensive combat) on his own initiative. He led it personally in a counterattack and, under heavy fire and continual enemy infantry/tank attacks, created a new defensive front on his left wing. Through this independent and courageous decision, made in a critical situation, Oberst Friker succeeded in definitively shielding the left flank. This in turn weakened the enemy forces to the point where their attack slackened on the following day, which enabled a firm defensive line to be built in the divisional sector. The success of this last combat day can be attributed to the decisiveness and brave personal actions of the highly distinguished commander.

With this I wish to renew my request for the award of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Oberst Friker.”