Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

December 24th, 1915

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1916

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

June 6th, 1935

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1939

Source Urkunde.
According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 17-12-1939.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Awarded on:

March 10th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 11th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)

Unit:

Stab, Brückenbau-Bataillon 646

Awarded on:

December 30th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Pionier-Brückenbau-Bataillon 646 (motorisiert), Heeresgruppe G, Heer

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1944

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

“Major Streit (commander of Pionier-Brücken-Bataillon 646) served as Kampfkommandant of Owidiopol during the time period 06.-12.04.1944, and in this capacity he sent in swiftly-assembled alarm units against enemy forces that had made it as far as Franzfeld in their attempt to conduct an envelopment maneuver by advancing along the Dniester. When a hostile assault wedge managed to break into Owidiopol itself he managed to contain their advance with barely 100 men from assorted alarm units, and this assault wedge was later thrown back from its gains. His independent and prudent actions laid the groundwork for the destruction of the reinforced 10th Cavalry Division in the area north of Owidiopol, and with this the danger of being cut off was averted.

The extremely precarious combat situation and the outstanding achievements of Major Streit’s Kampfgruppe are depicted in the attached map sketches.

The following details are available concerning the combat:

1.) On the 07.04.1944 Major Streit was serving as the Kommandant of the Dniester crossings, and in this role he received orders from high command to assemble two alarm companies (each with about 200 men) from his subordinated Pionier-Brücken-Bataillone 646 and 699. He then sent these to Franzfeld with orders to hold this village against enemy forces that were advancing along the axis Beljajewka—Majewka.

Although this sapped his strength considerably, Major Streit was able to secure the continued flow of traffic across the river via a combination of strict organization and by combing the supply units that were being held up in Owidiopol itself.

2.) On the 09.04.1944 the enemy assault wedge struck towards Owidiopol and entered into the village as far as the church. At the same time the enemy took the bridges under fire with mortars and anti-tank guns. However Major Streit responded with prudence and energy, assembling new alarm units from troops that were still waiting to cross at the time. With these he personally led an attack against the enemy forces that had entered the village. He also ordered elements of I./Flak-Rgt. 46 that were in charge of air defense for the crossing as well as 2 s.F.H. howitzers (of 3./s.Art.Abt. (mot) 127) that had just arrived in Owidiopol to immediately assist the battle against this enemy force.

Major Streit combined these clear directives with personal intervention at the hotspots of the combat, and because of this those enemy forces that had entered Owidiopol were ejected. This in turn prevented panic from breaking out among the German and Romanian supply troops.

After this he also swiftly assembled a number of small alarm units to screen the single supply road along the route Baraboi—Owidiopol (which was clogged with both motorized and horse-drawn columns at the time). By doing so he prevented the enemy (which were then trying to get around Owidiopol from the north) from advancing any further towards this critical supply route.

3.) On the 10.04.1944 Major Streit and his weak forces launched a brave attack against enemy forces that were still trying to advance to Owidiopol. During this engagement he thrust towards Kalagleja with a Kampfgruppe in order to link up with the 302. Infanterie-Division’s own advance and thereby complete the encirclement and destruction of the Russian 10th Cavalry Division.

4.) The vigorous action displayed by Major Streit was a decisive factor which ensured that the important crossing point at Owidiopol did not fall into enemy hands. Major Streit furthermore repeatedly attacked the much larger enemy forces with alarm units that were neither trained nor equipped for frontline combat, and in doing so he had a major share in the destruction of the Russian 10th Cavalry Division.

5.) I therefore believe that Major Streit is particularly worthy of receiving the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross on account of his proven qualities of leadership and bravery.”