Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Zugführer I./Panzer-Regiment 26

Awarded on:

October 23rd, 1944

On the 10.10.1944 the Kampfgruppe von Breese (comprising the reinforced Pz.Füs.Rgt. “GD”) was sent into the attack in the area around Krottingen. During this attack Leutnant Neumeyer and his platoon of three Panthers gave support to the I. Bataillon, equipped with SPWs. Following a German artillery barrage Neumeyer stormed ahead of the SPWs with his Panther, personally destroying 6 enemy tanks. This success inspired the following infantry to make a rapid advance.

In this later stage Neumeyer’s vehicle was hit in the running gear and immobilized. Now under continuous fire from 4 enemy AT guns and several tanks, Neumeyer remained in the fight and knocked out a further 2 enemy tanks, 2 AT guns and 7 trucks. But in this time his tank took hit after hit, and the ninth hit penetrated the turret and wounded Neumeyer in both thighs. Nevertheless he immediately transferred to another Panther and destroyed 2 more enemy tanks. When this new Panther was also knocked out Neumeyer and his crew fought alongside the Panzer-Füsiliers until the victory had been achieved.

For his actions here, which were of decisive help for the overall German attack, Neumeyer would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.