Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Batterie, leichte Flak-Abteilung 91 (mot), Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

February 4th, 1942

On the 27.12.1941 Hartig and the handful of forces under his command were able to bring a Soviet breakthrough attempt to a halt near Fedinskoje (south of Belew). However Hartig would not stop here, and also managed to throw the Soviet forces here back across the Oka river in a boldly led counterattack. By doing so he prevented a decisive hostile penetration into the Oka positions south of Belew, which could have led to disastrous consequences for the entire Armee. He would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this action.