Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

3. Kompanie, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 16, 16. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)

Awarded on:

July 2nd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 16, 16. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)

Awarded on:

December 2nd, 1942

At the end of October 1942 the Soviets were holding a bridgehead north of Stalingrad at Rynok. At this time the 16. Panzer-Division along with the 267. Infanterie-Division received orders to clear this bridgehead of the enemy. However the Red Army was also being proactive and sought to provide relief to the bridgehead by landing additional forces at Lataschinka (located further north on the west bank of the Volga). This sector was held by Kampfgruppe Strehlke, a unit based around the Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 16. The following excerpt describes the actions during this battle that led to Leutnant Gerke, one of the members of Kampfgruppe Strehlke, being awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the night of the 30./31.10.1942 the Soviets made a new attempt to find footing, this time at Lataschinka. During the evening prior to this Kampfgruppe Strehlke had already been alerted to such a possibility by the noise and movement detected on the other side of the river. Gunboats and tugs approached at around midnight . From their positions at the Volga train station, Gerke’s Panzerpionier-Zug opened fire. Three boats, each with about 50 Russians, were sunk. Others were damaged and turned around. However three boats succeeded in in landing at the northern edge and southern part of Lataschinka. Despite MG and flanking fire, their crews firmly ensconced themselves on the riverbank and fought their way into Lataschinka. Leutnant Wippermann (IV.(Flak-) Abt. Pz.AR 16) and his Flak crew held off the overwhelming enemy attacks while inflicting losses on the enemy. 60 Red Army soldiers turned southwards and thrusted towards Rynok. But they came under fire from the 2./Panzerpionier-Bataillon 16 and were smashed into small groups. Their commander fell in battle.

The northern enemy group fought their way to 3. Kompanie’s command post. However Oberleutnant Knoerzer, commander of 3. Kompanie, held his ground with the Kompanie HQ squad. During a heavy exchange of fire the Division prepared to launch a counterthrust that would destroy the landed enemy once and for all. The Soviets fired from all barrels on the opposite bank in order to support their operation, but it did not help. 56 enemy troops surrendered at the command post of the 3. Kompanie. Up until 13:00 another 36 prisoners were brought in.

However in the meantime the enemy had landed in the north with new forces and heavy weapons. With an Urräh they attacked towards the south, however over the course of the day they were pushed back to the northern edge of Lataschinka with the help of 9 Panzers.

On the next day the rest of the intruders were destroyed or taken prisoner, and attacks from Rynok were defeated. On the night of the 02./03.11.1942 landing attempts with several large ships were likewise fought off. A new clearing action eliminated the last nests of resistance. Thus, under the expert leadership of Major Stehlke, the brave Kampfgruppe had mastered the situation presented to it despite the enemy superiority in numbers. 400 men of the Soviet 1049th Rifle Regiment (300th Rifle Division) were abgeschmiert [meaning of word uncertain]. Leutnant Gerke received the Knight’s Cross for the brave defense exhibited by his men.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)