Grabert, Siegfried (Brandenburg)

Date of birth:: January 11th, 1916 (Schorndorf/Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:: July 25th, 1942 (Bataisk, Soviet Union)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Krasnodar-Apscheronsk
Nationality:: German

Biography

Siegfried Grabert was posthumously promoted to Major der Reserve, after he was reported missing in action since July 25th, 1942. His name has been engraved in a monument on the German War Cemetery Krasnodar-Apscheronsk.

1934-1937: Wehrdienst - promoted to Leutnant der Reserve
Summer 1939: Leutnant der Reserve - Bau-Lehr Bataillon z.b.V. 800
31.08-01.09.1939: Kampfverband 'Ebbinghaus' - sabtage of the railway station in Kattowitz
1940: campaign in Belgium and France as Kompaniechef - Lehr-Regiment Brandenburg z.b.V. 800 : sabotage of bridges
01.03.1941: promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve - campaign in the Balkans
destruction of Vardar bei Axiupolis's bridges in the north of Greece
End 1941: Kompaniechef, 8. Kompanie / II./ Bau-Lehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 - campaign in Russia
Assault to Caucasus - took the bridges on the Don-Delta near Rostov/Don with several heavy casualties - being himself deadly WIA and DOW

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer Sonderkommando Bau-Lehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"
Awarded on:: June 10th, 1941

The following newspaper excerpt describes why Grabert received the Knight’s Cross…

“Leutnant Grabert had already distinguished himself in the West. During the forward advance in northern Greece it was his leadership abilities and fearless devotion to duty that ultimately prevented the destruction of the 400 metre long road bridge over the Vardar river east of Axiupolis at the last minute. He personally captured those Englishmen who had the mission of blowing the bridge sky high. With this the only available bridge over the Vardar river fell into German hands. This in turn enabled friendly forces to immediately pursue the fleeing enemy without any loss of time.”

This action took place on the 12.04.1941. On this day Leutnant Grabert and his Brandenburgers prevented the destruction of the bridge, captured the British demolitions team,and then held the bridge with the limited forces available for about 90 minutes until the arrival of reinforcements.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef 8. / Lehr-Regiment z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"
Awarded on:: November 6th, 1943

In order to secure their advance into the Caucasus following the fall of Rostov in 1942 the Germans needed to capture a 6000 metre long causeway over the Don river near Bataisk. This causeway consisted of five separate bridges with swampland on both sides. In order to capture this vital crossing intact, Hauptmann Grabert and his Kompanie of Brandenburgers attacked at 02:30 on the 25.07.1942. They made it as far as the second bridge without major resistance, but then the Soviet defenders began firing fiercely. Despite this Grabert and his men pressed on and had captured the third bridge at about 04:00 when Grabert himself was killed. However the Brandenburgers held their ground and were somewhat relieved when Stukas arrived at 05:05 to pound the Soviet defenders. Then friendly Panzer forces arrived, and with this support the causeway was completely cleared.

Grabert would posthumously receive the Oakleaves for this costly yet vital success that his men had achieved here.

320th Award.
Awarded posthumously.