Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland"

Awarded on:

April 14th, 1943

Major Wätjen a major role in the German victory at Borissovka on the 14.03.1943, during the Third Battle of Kharkov. On that day his Aufklärungs-Abteilung was able to lure Soviet forces into the gunsights of the Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland", which then proceeded to shoot up some 21 Soviet tanks. Wätjen was awarded the Knight's Cross for this and other achievements during the three day long tank battle here, where his Aufklärungs-Abteilung demonstrated outstanding cooperation with the Panzer and Sturmgeschütz units of the Großdeutschland Division.