Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer Pionier-Bataillon 200

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1941

During the attack on Tobruk on the 30.04.1941 Leutnant Toll cut the first lane through the barbed wire obstacles surrounding the fortress with his Zug despite the presence of heavy opposing fire. His Zug was thus also the first to break into the British defenses. In the bitter nocturnal close combat he and his handful of men were able to clear out several hostile bunkers before being seriously wounded. However his actions had been vital in allowing the Germans and Italians to break into the Tobruk defences in the first place, and he was recognized for this feat with the Knight's Cross.