Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Funker III. / Artillerie-Regiment 196

Awarded on:

December 9th, 1944

On the morning of the 19.09.1944 a Soviet attack with tanks and infantry took place to the left of the 3./Artillerie-Regiment 196, which was deployed in a forward firing position at the time. As a result of this new flank threat Obergefreiter Gerdts received the order to bring up two reserve Sturmgeschütze and guide them to the left of the Batterie. However on his way there Gerdts recognized that the Soviets were also in the process of encircling a knoll located to the right of the Batterie.

Realizing the danger that this would also pose, Gerdts instead directed the two Sturmgeschütze to this new threat on his own initiative and contrary to his initial orders. He hoped that 3. Batterie would be able to deal with the threat to its left with its own resources. Fortunately for him this decision was vindicated by events, and both attacks to the left and right of 3. Batterie were eventually fended off.

As a result of the initiative he displayed here that brought about a complete victory in this area, Gerdts was decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)