Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)

Unit:

2. Batterie, SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 3, 3. SS Panzer-Division "Totenkopf", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

December 16th, 1943

Przedwojewski’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…
"At this stage in late 1943, the Totenkopf Division only had about 60% of its authorized number of troops, and yet were also having to hold a position that stretched for around 40 km. At this particular stage, they had six StuGs on hand, divided into two Zugs. Przedwojewski was in one of these along with two other StuGs. They were positioned in the rear of the main battle line supporting Totenkopf's Panzer Grenadier Regiment 5. The enemy breached these friendly positions, approximately 3km to the left of Przedwojewski's position, with infantry backed up by around 50 T-34s.
His Divisional Commander gave him explicit instructions to intervene in this situation. Przedwojewski realized the danger that this enemy breach represented and decided to move forward; he positioned himself behind one hill and opened fire. The first enemy tank, which was a KV type, was knocked out only 200 metres from his position. The action continued and soon the next enemy tank was burning as well. This drama continued during an intense battle, as Przedwojewski continued to fire shot after shot against this strong enemy force.
He used up all of his ammunition, but instead of retreating back to his own lines, he skillfully transversed the enemy tanks and their hostile fire. He linked up with friendly forces and stocked up with more ammunition. He then carried on the fight with these enemy tanks. At the end of this engagement 34 enemy tanks were destroyed on the ground in front of these three StuGs; Przedwojewski was credited with 13 of these 'kills'.
Later that same day he made the independent decision to engage a further strong enemy tank force. In the fading light of that day, a further 10 enemy tanks lay knocked out due to the courageous and quick-thinking actions of Felix Przedwojewski."

In the course of the whole war Przedwojewski was credited with 45 enemy tanks destroyed.