Hoyer, Adolf

Date of birth:: July 17th, 1915 (Johnsdorf/Styria, Austria)
Date of death:: November 4th, 1943 (near Kiev, Soviet Union)
Nationality:: Austrian

Biography

Adolf Hoyer finally reached the rank of Hauptmann der Reserve.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef 4. / Panzeraufklärungs-Bataillon 120
Awarded on:: October 8th, 1943

During the fighting in the late summer of 1943, the Soviets created considerable difficulties for the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 120 from one particular hill. To permanently deal with the problem, Oberleutnant Hoyer was issued an order to capture it. However instead of executing the order immediately, he demonstrated the value of his combat experience by instead going back around 20 kilometres with the soldiers assigned to him. He did this in order to properly prepare his troops for the task in a safe environment.

Hoyer and his troops then captured the hill with relatively few casualties. The commander would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for the brave and professionally conducted execution of his orders.