Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberjäger (Corporal)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 6./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 218

Awarded on:

October 12th, 1943

The following newspaper article describes why Oberkircher received the Knight’s Cross…

“Westmärker Receives the Knight’s Cross:

… Oberjäger Karl Oberkircher was born in Oberbexbach (Homburg District) on the 10.12.1916 as the son of miner and farmer Jakob Oberkircher. During a friendly attack in the high North he smashed a breach into an enemy bunker position whilst leading at the head of a Gebirgsjäger assault troop. Then, acting on his own initiative, he was able to roll up the position with just 3 other Gebirgsjäger. In the process he and his men eliminated 6 hostile battle positions and thereby enabled the rest of the Kompanie to capture the enemy trench network.”

This attack took place on the 08.08.1943, when the reinforced Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 218 attacked the so-called “Bunker Backbone”, which was located on a commanding piece of terrain. Oberkircher led an assault troop against the so-called “Sukkula” in the first stage of the attack. After overcoming the mine and wire barriers without loss, he and 4 troops attacked a bunker and knocked it out after a brief fight. At this point Oberkircher was supposed to have attacked the trench network towards the right, however he recognized that such a move would be foolish due to the fact that left-adjacent assault troop was pinned down by heavy opposing fire. He thus left part of his squad to cover the right flank and used the remainder to attack towards the left. He would be duly recognized for this feat.