Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 2. Kompanie, Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83, 3. Gebirgs-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 11th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 2. Kompanie, Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83, 3. Gebirgs-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 30th, 1943

On the 25.11.1943 Oberleutnant Heinrich and his 2. Kompanie were positioned in the Nikopol bridgehead. Specifically at the so-called “Heckenkopf”, itself located 1.5 km southeast of Stachanoff. On this day a major Soviet assault was expected due to the Kompanie being positioned directly in the main path of the Soviet assault and because of prisoner statements.

The fighting began at 03:30, as a force of 20 enemy tanks crashed through the left Kompanie and into the German hinterland. Then at about 04:50 a Soviet armoured car with mounted infantry approached 2. Kompanie itself. These dismounted about 200 metres from the German frontline, but were cut down by German MG fire. Soon afterwards the first Soviet tank approached, but it bogged down just before reaching the friendly lines. It was later immobilized through a fortuitous burst of MG fire that penetrated through the vision slits.

At 05:30 the right-wing Kompanie fell back under the enemy pressure, leaving the right flank of 2. Kompanie completely exposed. Finally, at 08:00, the main Soviet assault force commenced its attack. 40 tanks with mounted infantry rolled towards the Kompanie. The infantry were separated from their tanks by MG and artillery fire, but the tanks themselves halted 50 metres before the German lines and began a murderous barrage of the Kompanie positions. Most MGs were knocked out and the Pioniers waited feverishly for the impending close combat.

Meanwhile the left-wing Kompanie came under attack from 20 tanks, and parts of it were forced to fall back as well. Thus Heinrich and his men were surrounded by the enemy. Soviet soldiers attacked the left flank and began rolling up the German trenches. In response Heinrich rallied the last Kompanie reserves, namely clerks and communications troops of his Kompanie HQ, and launched a counterthrust. They managed to push the Soviets back 300 metres, retake the old position and knock out 3 enemy anti-tank guns.

However by now scores of enemy tanks stood in front of the Kompanie sector, with more behind it as well. After a few hours the enemy infantry moved forwards, while also attacking the right and rear of the Kompanie. The German position was by this time hopeless, the ammunition having been expended. The last 17 men of the Kompanie, commanded by Heinrich, began withdrawing to a new resistance line that had been formed by German reserves a kilometre to the rear. Running a gauntlet of Soviet tank and infantry fire, only 8 made it to the aforementioned line.

Despite the eventual fall of their position, the resistance put up by Heinrich and his men ensured that the Soviets were unable to achieve their sought-after breakthrough, one which could have triggered the collapse of the bridgehead. Heinrich would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross in recognition of his accomplishment.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)