Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 74

Awarded on:

November 18th, 1944

On the night of the 16.-17.09.1944, north of Warsaw, the Soviets succeeded in overrunning the positions of the 1st Hungarian Cavalry Division with about forty tanks and began assembling opposite the flank of the I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 74 with the intent of continuing the attack. The Bataillon commander order a reconnaissance troop to be formed to determine the location, strength and intentions of the enemy, with Obergefreiter Schormann being selected as the leader of the group. As he began his reconnaissance five Soviet tanks rolled up, a sign that the Soviets had begun to make their moves. Schormann had, however, heard additional vehicles behind this small group of armour and decided to check it out. Under the cover of dawn, he was able to infiltrate between the hostile tanks about 500 meters in front of his designated observation post. From here he was able to observe the assembly area of a force consisting of about 30 Soviet tanks with infantry.

Realizing the opposing attack was imminent, Schormann was forced to run upright back to his strongpoint. Despite the heavy Soviet fire he made it there successfully, and reported his results to the commander. It was not yet too late to take countermeasures, and a force of Panzers and Panzerjäger were sent to preemptively attack the Soviet group. This force smashed the Soviet attack before it even began, and resulted in the destruction of 26 opposing tanks.

By nipping the Soviet assault in the bud this way, the Germans had achieved a major tactical victory with minimal loss of life. Such a course of events would not have been possible without the efforts of Obergefreiter Schormann, who went above and beyond the call of duty with decisive results. As such he would receive the Knight’s Cross shortly afterwards.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)