Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef 2./Heeres-Pionier-Bataillon 327

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1944

The 291. Infanterie-DIvision, oriented to the south in the Sokal area, suddenly found Soviet forces had broken into its rear and was thereby forced to retreat to the west to avoid destruction. The Heeres-Pionier-Bataillon 327 was instructed to provide the rearguard for the Division until it had escaped successfully and built a new defensive line.

In the process of this movement the Soviets penetrated into the rear of the German rearguard force positioned on the right of Oberleutnant Wewelsiep's own Kompanie. He realized that this would lead to the destruction of his Bataillon and possibly even the Division which they were covering. Assembling a counterattack force of only 11 men (including 3 non-German Hiwis), he launched a counterattack into the Soviet flank while himself firing an MG from the hip. The Soviets began to fall back, and following an additional counterattack by the right neighbour the situation in this area was stabilized. Wewelsiep received the Knight's Cross for his actions here.