Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 6. Schwadron, SS-Kavallerie-Regiment 15, 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division "Florian Geyer", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

October 16th, 1944

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

“During the Division’s defense of the Maros position in the time period 16.-26.09.1944, the high ground near Hills 463 and 495 (vital for the entire sector) was heavily contested. In this time it would be attacked a total of 7 times in company strength, 15 times in battalion strength, and 4 times in regimental strength. Each attack was preceded by drumfire-like artillery preparation, which in some cases lasted for over 4 hours.

By the 26.09.1944 the Schwadronen on both sides of Hill 463 had lost two-thirds of their strength through losses in battle. On this day, as the enemy once again prepared to attack, SS-Obersturmführer Klett subordinated the SS men located in an observation post on the highest point of Hill 463 for the defense of this hill. Knowing the decisive importance of this point for the entire German position, he radioed the following to his commander:

‘Enemy is once again approaching with strong forces. Awaiting counterattack. Hill will be held to the last man. Ammunition urgently requested.’

As the enemy pushed past Klett and his handful of troops despite their heroic defense, SS-Obersturmführer Klett realized that continuing to stay on the defense could only result in the loss of the hill. Thus he ordered his small band of men to attack. Screaming ‘Hurra’ and with all weapons firing, they stormed into the deep flank of the broken-in enemy. This resulted in the destruction of significant enemy elements and the total dispersion of the remainder. The enemy pulled back in disorder, and those enemy forces following up behind the first wave of attackers joined them. In the process of this attack a total of 12 light machine-guns, 1 heavy machine-gun, 1 flamethrower and large quantities of ammunition were captured. The enemy losses were extremely high. Over 200 enemy dead were counted in front of the friendly positions.

Through this determined action by SS-Obersturmführer Klett an extremely dangerous situation was stabilized, and it was possible to once again reoccupy the old defenses.”