Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 29th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 29th, 1941

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:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 346, 346. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1944

Awarded for the recapture and holding of the heights near Troarn, SE of Caen. In mid-July 1944 the Allies broke through the positions of the 346. Infanterie-Division. Obstfelder received the mission to occupy and hold the high ground near Troarn, which was on the Division’s open flank. As the promised infantry reinforcements had not arrived due to the heavy enemy fire, Obstfelder rallied all the stragglers he could find around his guns, formed a Kampfgruppe and pushed the attacking British forces back in an energetic counterattack.

Through the destruction of 8 Allied tanks, numerous anti-tank guns and infantrymen Obstfelder was able to buy the necessary time for a new defensive line to be formed and manned with the reinforcing soldiers. He would hold the heights at Troarn for 10 days, thereby preventing the Allies from encircling his Division, until he was finally ordered to retreat from this position.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 346, 346. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1945

Awarded for preventing the encirclement of the bulk of the 361. Volksgrenadier and 6. Fallschirmjäger Divisions in the Netherlands. On the 17.04.1945 an armoured group from the Canadian 5th Armoured Division consisting of some 30 tanks occupied the village of Putten and from here blocked the retreat route for about one and a half divisions. With a hastily assembled Kampfgruppe, Major von Obstfelder launched an attack on his own initiative that managed to reopen the retreat route. In the process 7 Allied tanks were destroyed and 4 were captured.

Due to this act of bravery Obstfelder not only permitted the withdrawal of the trapped German units, but also the occupation of the Grebbe line during the following night. He would be awarded the Oakleaves for this action.

858th award