Radochla, Helmut

Date of birth:: January 3rd, 1913 (Döbern bei Forst/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:: November 10th, 1990 (Forst in der Lausitz/Brandenburg, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:: Zugführer, II. Bataillon, XXIII. Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon 999, 212. Volksgrenadier-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: May 9th, 1945

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

“In the morning hours of the 04.03.1945, under the cover of mist, an American force of about 250 men moved out from Ehrang and infiltrated the Regiment’s deep open flank by moving along the riverbank of the Mosel river. In doing so they succeeded in launching a surprise attack against the regimental command post in Quint, and their great numerical superiority quickly generated a critical situation for the regimental command post. On top of that the American attack also threatened to roll up the Regiment’s frontline (at the time held only by weak Fortress Infantry units) from the rear.

At this time Leutnant Radochla and his 25-man reserve Kompanie were deployed as a screening force opposite Milokreuz (at Quint). From here he spotted the Americans establish themselves in the dense railway grounds along the viaduct southwest of Quint, and he perceived that the enemy planned to advance to the Taubenberg. Thus, on his own initiative, he struck into the American flank with his weak forces. The American attack stalled under the combined pressure of Leutnant Radochla’s bold sally as well as a frontal bombardment by a hastily brought-up Sturmgeschütz. Firing with his own machine-pistol, Leutnant Radochla inspired his men through his personal bravery and continued to best the much larger enemy force. The Americans sustained bloody losses, and a number of them surrendered.

Leutnant Radochla’s swift and bold actions robbed the American attack of its momentum, and they created the appropriate conditions for the Regiment’s later successful counterthrust.

Leutnant Radochla, who is already well known in the Bataillon as a fearless practitioner of close combat, is fully worthy of the high award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

His nomination by the troop was received by Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 21-3-1945. The nomination had been submitted by the 212. Volksgrenadier Division, to which the 2./Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon had been subordinated at the time, via the Heeresgruppe B. Radochla is listed with a sequential Nr. 5156 in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses). However only the entry date of 21 March along with Major Joachim Domaschk's recommendation "Knight's Cross yes" was noted. No further proof that the presentation was made can be found in the archives. A file card for the list of approved or rejected nominations had been created. The 212. Volksgrenadier Division, and thus the 2./Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon, had been encircled and taken prisoner of war in the vicinity of Baumholder by American forces at the time of the presentation. The commanding general of the 212. Volksgrenadier Division, Generalleutnant Franz Sensfuß, who had been nominated for the Oak Leaves at the same time, was postponed by Major Domaschk in accordance with AHA 44 Ziff. 572. Veit Scherzer argues that with a very high probability Major Domaschk, without noting, also deferred the decision on Radochla. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.