Hollekamp, Josef

Date of birth:: August 19th, 1920 (Metelen/Westfalen, Germany)
Date of death:: December 20th, 1992 (Bad Kreuznach/Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Josef Hollekamp finally reached the rank of Unteroffizier.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Gruppenführer, 2.(Radfahr) Kompanie, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 36, 36. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert), Heer
Awarded on:: July 23rd, 1943

Shortly before the beginning of the battle of Kursk, the Soviets launched an attack supported by three tank brigades against the sector of the 36. Infanterie-Division east of Orel. Due to terrain considerations, the Soviets concentrated on one particular outpost held by a single rifle squad with the aim of breaking through.

After the squad leader had been wounded, Obergefreiter Hollekamp took over its command on his own initiative. In the fighting which followed, the position was overrun twice by tanks. However all assaults by the infantry coming in their wake were smashed by the outstanding defense of ‘Gruppe Hollekamp’. The enemy breakthrough attempt here ultimately came to nothing.

Hollekamp would receive the Knight’s Cross for this brave and successful action.