Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144, 3. Gebirgs-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 2nd, 1943

The German Gruppe Kreysing, which had been encircled in Millerovo in the first half of January 1943, began its breakout to the west on the 15th of that month. The Soviets attempted to surround and destroy the elements of this group multiple times, with their last attempt being made at the village of Chebotovka. There the garrison led by Trippensee defended the local kolkhoz building against several Soviet attacks, until the pressure was relieved by a German counterattack at noon on the 18.01.1943. That evening the last German Gebirgsjäger in Chebotovka escaped the village and reached the German lines near Voroshilovgrad. For his part in facilitating the German breakout efforts Trippensee was awarded the Knight's Cross.