Grasser, Anton
- Date of birth:
- November 3rd, 1891 (Bossendorf/Alsace, Germany)
- Date of death:
- November 3rd, 1976 (Stuttgart/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
During World War 1, Anton Grasser also received the Verwundeten Abzeichen Schwarz and Silber.
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Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- July 1st, 1935
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- May 21st, 1940
Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on June 18th, 1915.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 8th, 1940
Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on June 6th, 1916.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 119, 25. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- June 16th, 1940
“Oberstleutnant Anton Grasser had already particularly distinguished himself during both the fighting around Laon and the penetration into the Weygand line. After this, on the 09.-10.06.1940, he was the commander of a strong Vorausabteilung positioned on the left wing of an Armeekorps. The mission of this unit was to pursue the enemy up to and across the Marne river. His ruthless devotion to duty and boldness motivated his subordinated infantry and artillery to act in kind, which in turn enabled his unit to greatly influence the overall situation. His actions carry all the marks of an exceptional and inspiring leader of fighting men.”
The following details are available concerning the first two actions mentioned in the excerpt…
1) Grasser broke a tank-supported enemy defense through a skillfully launched attack of his own on the 19.-20.05.1940 during the fighting around Laon. Achieved with minimal friendly losses, this victory significantly contributed to the German tactical success around Laon in this time.
2) His Regiment succeeded in securing a penetration through the grimly defended Weygand Line on the 05.06.1940 along the l’Aisne a l’Oise canal. Positioned on its own, the Regiment accomplished this through an irresistible attack that captured the Malmas Ferme (located on the Chemin des Dames).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- August 22nd, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Generalleutnant (Major-general)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, 25. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- March 11th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Generalleutnant (Major-general)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, 25. Panzergrenadier-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- December 5th, 1943
344th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Großes Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der BRD
- Rank:
- Brigadegeneral
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, Bundesgrenzschutzkommando Süd, Bundesgrenzschutz
- Awarded on:
- June 25th, 1953
Sources
- Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
- Ritterkreuz Archiv, I/2014, Scherzers Militaer-Verlag, Bayreuth, 2012
- Axis Biographical Research
- Wehrmacht
- Die Tapfersten.
Photo
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