Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 988, 276. Volks-Grenadier-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 11th, 1945

Rodemich’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 26.01.1945 Kampfgruppe Erbe (at the time subordinated to Grenadier-Regiment 986) was deployed in the Bockholz area with orders to defend Bockholz against all enemy attacks.

At around 10:30 on that day 5. Kompanie (the unit deployed along the outpost line) made first contact with the enemy. This attack was repulsed. After this the enemy swung to the south and made a new attack on Hill Fring. They pushed friendly security forces off the hill and established a defensive position there in company strength. From Hill Fring it was possible to overlook Bockholz itself and completely dominate the village with infantry weapons. At this same instant the enemy attacked out of the ravine south of Bockholz with 3 tanks and 5 trucks loaded with infantry. Thus the enemy pressure against Bockholz was now coming from 3 directions:

1.) The Pintsch—Bockholz road
2.) Hill Fring
3.) The ravine south of Bockholz (emerging onto the Lellingen—Bockholz road)

At this time 7. Kompanie, commanded by Feldwebel Rodemich, had a strength of 4 NCOs and 8 men. The unit was employed facing Hill Fring in the area of 6. Kompanie.

7. Kompanie’s Mission: To repulse enemy thrusts from Hill Fring in the direction of Bockholz.

In this situation Feldwebel Rodemich made the decision to swing slightly to the south and attack Hill Fring. His goal was to cut off the enemy, take prisoners and regain possession of the hill. Approaching through a gully, Feldwebel Rodemich and his Kompanie were able to approach undetected to within 15 metres of the enemy. However 3 Americans then suddenly appeared in the gully (they likely had the task of providing security towards the south). These men were immediately attacked by Feldwebel Rodemich and taken prisoner. Feldwebel Rodemich then charged further forwards as far as the hill itself and captured it following a brutal firefight that resulted in 10 counted American dead. After this the enemy shot up a red flare and began conducting strong blocking fire against Bockholz itself and the area just in front of their attacking spearheads to the south of the village. At the same time they pulled back their own forces.

The recapture of Hill Fring meant that the friendly position at Bockholz was now firmly back in control of the Kampfgruppe, which was by now badly battered as a result of previous combat days. The victory here resulted in the thwarting of the enemy’s breakthrough attempt in the direction of Hosingen.”


His nomination by the troop was received by Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 16-4-1945. Major Joachim Domaschk decided: "By no means sufficient". The HPA-VV file card Nr. 5084a (rejected) was forwarded on 19 April. No further notes or comments were made. The presentation date was assumed by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR). Rodemich is a member of the OdR.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 16th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 17th, 1941