Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21, 24. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1944

On the 08.06.1944, during the German Operation Katja, squad leader Gustav Koller and his men were preparing to leave a grove of stunted trees when they noticed 3 T-34s whose crews had dismounted and seemed unprepared for battle. Koller immediately dashed in their direction with his men, who set up their two MGs. In the battle which followed several Soviets were taken prisoner including a forward observer who had been directing blocking fire onto the German attackers.

As Koller observed the Soviet entrenchments, he realized that the 3 T-34s had been originally deployed as flank protection. In light of this fact he began to roll up the Soviet line, something which proved sufficient to get the bogged down attack of his whole Regiment back into motion. It was thereafter able to achieve its objectives with only minor losses.

For this brave and independent action, which greatly helped his Regiment win this particular battle, Koller would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.