Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 10th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 12th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 6th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wachtmeister

Unit:

3. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 209, Heer

Awarded on:

September 5th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wachtmeister der Reserve

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 209, Heer

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1942

Awarded for destroying 39 enemy tanks, a great deal of which were eliminated during the battles for Rzhev.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 16th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, 1. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 393, Heer

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1944

Awarded for reaching a personal total of 65 enemy tanks destroyed, as well as his combat and leadership achievements during the battles around Dorpat in mid-1944. In the sector of the 87. Infanterie-Division Sauer’s Batterie assisted a night attack by the Pionier-Bataillon 187 which succeeded in retaking the Kaerevere estate and road junction. Later, during the Soviet assault from the Dorpat bridgehead starting on 17.09.1944, Sauer’s Batterie played a key part in stopping the enemy attack and the catastrophic results that could’ve come from it. In two days his Sturmgeschütze destroyed 14 enemy tanks.

A later report by the II. Armee-Korps goes into further detail as to what Sauer’s Batterie contributed during this fighting…

“The retreat from the Dorpat Stellung proceeded under heavy pressure from the overwhelming enemy, who attacked with 12 Rifle divisions and 2-3 armoured formations just before the planned beginning of the withdrawal. Despite the destruction of the friendly 207. Sicherungs-Division, as well as the heavy losses of the 87. Infanterie-Division as early as the first day, it was possible to prevent an enemy breakthrough along this front and return our combat formations to battle readiness once again.”

603rd Award.