Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 14th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 9th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 12th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 28th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberwachtmeister

Unit:

Zugführer, 2. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201, Heer

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1942

On the morning of the 14.08.1942 a Kampfgruppe of the 75. Infanterie-Division, supported by assault guns of the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 201, began an attack with the aim of retaking the village of Podkletnoje and the small forest nearby. However it soon bogged down. Kochanowski, a StuG commander, noticed a group of about 20 enemy tanks at the forest edge and in the thickets just in front of it. In a bold decision he decided to take on this enemy group alone. After destroying the second enemy vehicle, the gun jammed. Kochanowski exited the vehicle and was able to make the gun operational again despite having to endure heavy enemy small arms fire. He then continued the fight and destroyed a total of 12 enemy tanks in this area.

By eliminating this major flank threat, Kochanowski made an invaluable contribution to the eventual success of the German counterattack. For this, as well as raising his total of destroyed enemy armour to 31, he was decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 12th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 1st, 1943