Mulzer, Josef Georg Dr. (Pionier-Bataillon 195)
- Date of birth:
- April 15th, 1915 (Munich, Germany)
- Date of death:
- January 21st, 2011 (Würzburg, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
00.00.1934: Fahnenjunker, Pionier-Bataillon 7
00.00.1936: promoted to Leutnant
00.09.1938: Lt, Adjutant, Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83
00.00.1939: promoted to Oberleutnant
00.09.1939: Olt, campaign in Poland then in Norway
00.06.1941: Barbarossa
00.00.1941: promoted to Hauptmann
00.09.1942: Leningrad
25.11.1942: Hauptmann, Kommandeur, Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83
01.06.1943: promoted to Major
00.07.1943: Major, Kommandeur, Pionier-Bataillon 195
00.08.1943: Orel
00.11.1943: Bobruisk
00.00.1944: Generalstabsausbildung, Italy
09.09.1944: Kommandeur, Pionier-Sturm-Regiment 1, France
00.10.1944-00.05.1945: severely WIA and sent to Lazarett
01.12.1944: promoted to Oberstleutnant
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- Rank:
- Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
- Awarded on:
- 1938
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, Pionier-Bataillon 195, 95. Infanterie-Division
- Awarded on:
- September 7th, 1943
Major Mulzer fought with his Pionier-Bataillon in the sector of the 95. Infanterie-Division during the fighting for the Orel salient in mid-1943. In this time he and his men cleaned up numerous Soviet penetrations via energetic counterattacks and, on one occasion, he recaptured a commanding height in an attack launched on his own initiative. Mulzer would receive the Knight’s Cross for these actions.
Near the end of 1943 the Pionier-Bataillon 195 occupied a defensive sector west of Bobruisk. Following an artillery barrage the Soviets attacked this sector with significant forces on a broad front. With his last reserves, namely soldiers from his staff as well as some drivers, Major Mulzer was able to eject the Soviet soldiers from his position and bring the attack in his sector to a halt.
Meanwhile however the Soviets had managed to break through in the right neighbouring sector, and from here they threatened to roll up the whole Division’s frontline. Mulzer quickly recognized this danger and, assembling as many soldiers as could be spared, he launched a flank attack against this new opposing force. After a short but violent battle, the Soviets here fled after having suffered heavy losses. Major Mulzer then threw up a temporary defensive front and was able to hold it against all new hostile breakthrough attempts until the arrival of reinforcements.
Through his bravery and decisiveness, Mulzer had thus averted a great danger for the whole German frontline west of Bobruisk. He would thus be awarded the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross.
367th award
Sources
- Photo 1: Known to STIWOT
- Photo 2:
- Photo:
- http://www.ritterkreuztraeger.info/rkel/m/EL367Mulzer-Josef-Georg.pdf
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- SCHERZER, VEIT, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2015.
- Lexikon der Wehrmacht