Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

May 24th, 1940

On the 10.05.1940 the 3./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1 had the objective of capturing and holding the bridges just to the southwest of Dordrecht. The III. Zug of this Kompanie landed in the meadows to the northwest of these bridges and captured their western bank after a brief fight. However the bulk of the Kompanie got caught in heavy AA fire and then became embroiled in urban combat in the residential area of Krispijn (on the eastern bank of the river). The Kompanie commander was killed while trying to save a wounded soldier.

In this tricky situation Feldwebel Görtz, at the time commander of I. Zug, decided to break off and fulfill the original objective of the Kompanie with a smaller force. He fought his way through the enemy with 2 NCOs and 6 men and managed to capture the eastern part of the bridges, at the time still clear of the enemy. Oberjäger Januschowsky and 4 men from II. Zug joined Görtz’s tiny group. With this the Germans were in control of the bridges and the riverbank to both sides of them.

At 09:00 Görtz’s small group was attacked by 2 companies of Dutch troops, but were able to hold their positions. Additional attacks in the early afternoon by enemy motorcycle and infantry forces were likewise fended off with considerable effort. Finally, at around 16:30, Görtz’s position was reinforced by men from the 2. & 4. Kompanien.

For holding this vital position successfully against the odds, Feldwebel Görtz would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 18th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 18th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

4. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

December 5th, 1944