Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)

Unit:

MG-Schütze 11./Grenadier-Regiment 186

Awarded on:

December 18th, 1942

During the middle of 1942, as the 11./Grenadier-Regiment 186 found itself positioned along a mountain pass road in the Caucasus, Gefreiter Österreicher and his MG squad found themselves in a forward outpost. Here they came under hostile attack, with Österreicher suffering deep cuts to his face by shrapnel which also destroyed his glass eye. He and his comrades quickly pulled back to the main line. Due to his injuries Österreicher would normally have been evacuated to an aid post, however he decided to stay with his comrades instead in the coming defensive battle.

This battle, which was partially fought in close combat, resulted in the loss of all the senior German soldiers. In this critical situation, when the Soviet pressure seemed overwhelming, Gefreiter Österreicher on his own initiative rallied took control of the 64 German soldiers still able to fight. With energetic counterattacks he and his Grenadiers were able to throw the attacking Soviets back while inflicting heavy losses. In the course of the battle 180 opposing soldiers were taken prisoner. After the fight had concluded they would assist the remaining German soldiers in evacuating the 200 wounded German soldiers back to the rear.

For his bravery and decisiveness during this action, which was directly responsible for the German defensive victory here, Österreicher would receive the Knight’s Cross.