Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieuteant)

Unit:

13. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91

Awarded on:

January 29th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef 13. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1943

The following divisional order of the day (dated 20.12.1943) describes why Göttinger was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Oberleutnant Göttinger, commander of the 13./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91, on the 14.12.1943.

On the 31.10.1943, while breaking through to the west on the Nogaischen Steppe with his Kompanie mounted on the vehicles of a self-propelled 2-cm Flak-Batterie, Oberleutnant Göttinger and his troops were able to eject a much superior enemy from Bondarewka with the support of their attached heavy weapons.

Undeterred by the threat to both flanks and the strong flanking fire, Oberleutnant Göttinger immediately continued a further thrust to the west with his brave Kampfgruppe on his own initiative. Without hesitating, he attacked strong enemy forces located 5 km west of Bondarewka from the march and succeeded in driving them away.

Likewise he also engaged newly brought up enemy motorized infantry, and was able to immediately force them back northwards and prevent them from deploying for battle.

By this bold and energetically conducted attack, launched far ahead of the Regiment and under constant danger of being cut off, Oberleutnant Göttinger was able to push back the far superior enemy forces he encountered while inflicting bloody losses on the foe. Ultimately he was able to establish contact with the 13. Panzer-Division, which was attacking from the west. The success that he brought about enabled the Division to complete its decisive breakthrough towards Buinyj.

In the name of the whole Division, I congratulate Oberleutnant Göttinger on receiving this high award. Oberleutnant Göttinger is the 16th Knight’s Cross Holder of the 4. Gebirgs-Division.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)