Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer 7. / Schützen-Regiment 79

Awarded on:

October 13th, 1941

The following newspaper article describes why Sander was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Knight’s Cross Holder Oberfeldwebel Ernst Sander Dies a Hero’s Death:

Knight’s Knight’s Cross Holder and Oberfeldwebel Ernst Sander has fallen on the Eastern front.

Since the 22.06.1941 Oberfeldwebel Sander fought against the Soviets as a Zugführer in a Schützen-Regiment. Sander and his Zug were always sent in wherever it was necessary to master especially difficult situations. Both within and beyond the Bataillon it was known that he was both a bold and talented leader that never lost his nerve. The prime example of this came on one particular occasion, when he and a very small number of men found themselves up against a much larger Bolshevik force. The Soviets believed that the handful of men would want to surrender. Sander let them believe this whilst he waited until he had gathered up enough men from his Zug.

Then he suddenly went into position and successfully brought back his riflemen through skillful maneuvering. On the way to his Bataillon he became aware that the Bolsheviks were entering into the village in which the Bataillon command post was surely located. He attacked without hesitation, and by doing so he threw the Soviets into confusion and forced them into flight. In this way he released his Bataillon from its precarious situation.

He always stood at the hotspots of the combat, continuously providing a shining example for all his comrades. But now this brave men has met his fate due to an enemy bullet, and how a small hill covers his dead body somewhere in the far East. His spirit will continue to live on in his comrades and help them forwards until the final victory.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)