Möller, Ernst (Füsilier-Bataillon 553)

Date of birth:: August 10th, 1915 (Straßburg/Alsace, Germany)
Date of death:: May 14th, 1996 (Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

16.04.1945: severely WIA during the defense of Waldenburg - Germany where he led a Kampfgruppe

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, Füsilier-Bataillon 553, 553. Volksgrenadier-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: April 30th, 1945

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

“On the 28.03.1945, during the American offensive in the west, Major Möller personally led his Bataillon from the foremost line as it fought in the Brensbach area. On this day he and his men repulsed attacks by strong hostile infantry and tank formations. This was in spite of the fact that the unit was totally isolated and with only 4 heavy machine-guns and 4 medium mortars available as heavy weapons (artillery, Pak, etc. was unavailable).

Although he was handicapped by an above-knee prosthesis, Major Möller personally led his soldiers in the fiercest areas of combat. He personally initiated the counterattack and prevented a hostile breakthrough towards Pfaffen-Beerfurth-Reichelsheim (which would have brought them into the Division’s flank).

On the 29.03.1945 the Füs.Btl. 553 once again fought totally alone in the Erbach/Odenwald area. Here it managed to successfully fend off repeated attacks by an American regiment (supported by 30 tanks and double the number of halftracks) whilst inflicting bloody losses on the foe.

Even though Major Möller had been directed to pull back to a new resistance line if confronted by powerful enemy forces, he personally decided to continue defending his position. He even went over to the attack in one sector when he judged the situation to be favourable. In this attack, despite the lack of heavy weaponry, his Füsiliere (equipped with small-arms and Panzerfausts) definitely eliminated 300 Americans, 8 tanks and 2 armoured cars. 4 more tanks were probably destroyed. The enemy tanks would first have to eliminate the bulk of the Bataillon in order to seize Erbach during the following night, as no friendly soldier retreated from his position.

During the beginning of the enemy attack Major Möller immediately rushed to the most hard pressed Kompanie in Erbach. Here he personally conducted the defensive battle, assessed the attack and fearlessly held his ground amidst the fiercest of fire. When the village was lost in the evening, he was once again the last to leave his command post there.

With this a hostile breakthrough from the north via Erbach—Beerfelden towards Neckar (which would have brought them deep into the rear of the Armee-Korps) was prevented. He [Möller] was a consistent example of bravery and steadfastness throughout the battle, and for this he is known and renowned among the ranks of the whole Division.

The Füsilier-Bataillon has already repeatedly distinguished itself under the leadership of its brave commander, and on the 30.03.1945 it also managed to contain a breakthrough by 40 enemy tanks (the bulk of an American division). Here, too, the commander fearlessly fought against the much larger opposing forces from the foremost line.”