Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Stabsfeldwebel (Sergeant Major)

Unit:

Zugführer, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138, 3. Gebirgs-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

During August of 1944, in the fighting along the Carpathian front, the frontline of the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138 consisted of a chain of scattered hilltop strongpoints. This position was put to the test on the 19.08.1944 when the Soviets launched an attack here. One of these strongpoints (Ötztal), consisting of a Gebirgsjäger Zug as well as an HMG and mortar squad, was commanded by Julius Spari. He received a radio message from his commander to defend the position, after which communications to the hill were broken. An initial attempt to relieve the hill, which had been surrounded by the Soviets, failed. However the strongpoint managed to hold against all hostile attacks for 4 days before finally being relieved by the troops of Hauptmann Giehrl.

For his outstanding defensive effort here, Stabsfeldwebel Spari received the Knight's Cross.