Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 10th, 1944

Silver version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 12th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 26th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 25th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Waffen-Obersturmführer

Unit:

Führer, 6. Kompanie, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS 42 "Voldemars Veiss" (lett. Nr. 1)

Awarded on:

May 5th, 1945

Gaigals’ Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“As the most proven and battle-hardened Kompanie commander, Waffen-Obersturmführer Gaigals received his most important and difficult combat mission yet at the beginning of the forest combat in the area of the enemy penetration near Remte. The odds against him were not great, as he was operating in dense forested terrain and in an unclear combat situation. He also experienced a setback before the mission even began when he and his men were harassed in their assembly areas by forward enemy patrols. Despite this he succeeded in storming the heavily fortified enemy strongpoint at Vipsteri on the 20.03.1945 and thereby secured an extremely valuable jump off point for the Regiment’s subsequent planned attack on the same day.

Waffen-Obersturmführer Gaigals led a bold attack against his assigned patch of forest and destroyed the battalion-sized enemy forces that were entrenched in the area. On the following night he reached his ordered attack objective. Gaigals once again personally led his Kompanie during the clearing of the captured patch of forest, and despite the difficult combat situation he managed to establish a coherent frontline. He established contact with the follow-on neighbouring unit (which was also attacking) and, still in the same night, managed to created a firm defensive front.

On the following day, the 21.03.1945, the enemy launched a deliberate counterattack following a massive preparatory barrage by artillery and Katyushas. In the course of the day Gaigals and his men repulsed 7 battalion-strength enemy attacks. The enemy thereafter brought up tanks, and with these they finally achieved a penetration. 3 of the attacking tanks tried to roll up the positions of the Kompanie, and to this end they struck from the flank and rear. Gaigals’ command post came under direct fire by the enemy tanks. Waffen-Obersturmführer Gaigals in turn conducted a counterthrust with his already badly depleted Kompanie, and they managed to eject the enemy from their gains and restore the old frontline.

On the 22.03.1945 the enemy launched 6 more major attacks. The enemy succeeded in breaking through between Gaigals’ Kompanie and 5. Kompanie, and in the process Gaigals’ Kompanie was encircled. 3 enemy tanks once again appeared at the command post and delivered 2 direct hits to Waffen-Obersturmführer Gaigals’ bunker. Gaigals’ radio operator and almost the entire Kompanie HQ squad were killed, and Gaigals himself was wounded. Yet he proceeded to place himself at the head of the remnants of his battered Kompanie and, with an outstanding contempt for death, pushed the enemy back. Following hard and bloody close combat, he and his men restored contact with the neighbouring units and thereby prevented a breakthrough by larger enemy formations. Gaigals was wounded once again during this attack, however he only relinquished leadership of his Kompanie after the old frontline was entirely reconquered and secured. At the time he could no longer speak due to shell splinter wounds in his cheek and lower jaw. He issued orders with hand signals.

He thereafter made his way to the dressing station on his own.

Waffen-Obersturmführer Gaigals was previously recommended for the Knight’s Cross on the 03.01.1945 for his outstanding personal bravery during the Third Battle of Courland.

In light of his exemplary bravery, his heroic soldierly spirit and of course his outstanding leadership qualities, I hereby request the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for Waffen-Obersturmführer Gaigals.”

Roberts Gaigals' nomination had been finalized by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) and was ready for signature by the end of the war. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date is an assumption of the OdR.