Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 5. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 85, 10. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 24th, 1940

On the 09.06.1940 Gruppe Tilly (consisting of the reinforced II./I.R. 85) crossed over the Aisne canal in the early morning and firmly established itself on the canal’s opposite bank. It’s mission for this day was to capture Hill 130 (located 2 km south of Rilly), and later Roche. The unit quickly became locked in a hand grenade battle with the defending French troops, a battle which continued in this way until about midday.

At this time Leutnant Semmer assembled a small group consisting of men from both his Kompanie as well as some attached heavy weapons/Pioniere. The group took advantage of cloud of smoke that had drifted over from Bois de Voncq, and it ultimately managed to make it all the way to Hill 130 itself. Here, 1500 metres in front of the bulk of the Bataillon, the group consolidated its positions.

When the smoke suddenly lifted, the small German group suddenly saw a number of French soldiers in the small wood immediately to the front. They attacked at once and captured 30 prisoners. Leutnant Semmer then forced the prisoners to march towards the northwest with raised hands in the direction of his Bataillon. The French soldiers fighting at the front likewise surrendered when they saw this group of prisoners in their rear. An additional 200 men and 2 officers gave themselves up.

Leutnant Semmer later received the Knight’s Cross for this outstanding feat-of-arms.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)