Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Melder I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 59

Awarded on:

March 26th, 1944

During a Soviet penetration attempt on the positions of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 59 (located near Vitebsk) in late February 1944, Obergefreiter Rieger and his fellow messengers became involved in a flanking counterthrust in order to halt the attackers. During the process the Bataillon adjutant and a machine-gunner who were with the group became badly wounded, and the counterattacking force itself found itself in great danger. On his own initiative, and despite the heavy Soviet fire, Rieger charged forward another 100 metres while firing his MG from the hip, with his comrades taking after his example. After this he set up his MG and from here was able to inflict devastating fire on the attacking Soviets, throwing them into confusion and allowing the defending German Kompanie to quickly organize a new defensive line from which to halt the attackers for good.

Despite this success the hardest part had only begun for Rieger, as he now had to retreat with the counterattack force while taking along his wounded comrades. All alone with his MG, he remained as rearguard to shield the withdrawal of his comrades from one bit of cover to the next. Though he was by then heavily exhausted himself, Rieger too was able to pull back all while fending off the advancing Soviets. In this way all the wounded men from his party were brought back to safety, with Rieger being the last to reach the friendly jump-off point.

Obergefreiter Rieger had thus prevented the disintegration of the German Kompanie, saved the lives of his wounded comrades and put paid to the Soviet penetration attempt. For this action, by which he contributed greatly to the overall German defensive success in the area, he would receive the Knight’s Cross.