Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 1./Pionier-Bataillon 323

Awarded on:

July 12th, 1943

Gefreiter Ofenloch was among a number of German soldiers who defended against a Soviet attack near Voronezh on 04.10.1942. This attack comprised of Soviet infantry escorted by 3 tanks. While the opposing infantry were successfully pinned down, the tanks tried to move forward and one of them reached the German trenches. With this move a danger now existed that the German trenches could be rolled up.

In this situation Gefreiter Ofenloch jumped out of his trench and, all alone, attached the Soviet tank with a mine. He put it on the tank turret and began to leave. However the mine threatened to slide off the wet mud that covered the tank. Though Ofenloch knew the time delay for the mine was quite short, he held it steady with his hand long enough for it to have the maximum effect. He jumped back at the last moment, and the enemy tank was destroyed by the explosion. However Ofenloch had not been fast enough and the blast also ripped off his left forearm. However the danger to the German position had been eliminated, and Ofenloch (who’d also suffered bullet wounds) was taken to safety by his comrades.

For his selfless action, which ensured a German victory in this engagement, Ofenloch would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.