Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer 2./gem.FlakAbt 241

Awarded on:

September 5th, 1944

During the allied attempt to break out of the Anzio bridgehead and reach the Via Appia, Oberleutnant Lüdke especially distinguished himself in the defense. With his light Flak he defended a strongpoint near Campo Leone, rallied straggling infantry to his position, and after a long firefight brought an enemy attack to a halt. Through the tactically skillful employment of his guns, which became famous to the German troops in the area as the “Ghost guns of Anzio”, Lüdke and his men achieved outstanding successes. He would continue to show such qualities during the fighting at Sakko, Liri, the Via Prenestina on the eastern edge of Rome, and the Via Cassia before Viterbo. For his achievements in this time he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)