Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)

Unit:

3./Schnelle-Abteilung 376

Awarded on:

January 20th, 1943

During the battle for the Stalingrad pocket following the encirclement of the 6. Armee, one of the most fiercely contested locations was Hill 131 (in the sector of the 376. Infanterie-Division), which changed hands in ruthless combat beginning from the start of December 1942. Starting on the 08.12.1942 the Soviets once again launched an attack on the Hill, launching an assault from three sides beginning around midday.

After the Hill had been overrun and one of its defending units, the 3./Schnelle-Abteilung 376, had been virtually wiped out, Gefreiter Magerfleisch emerged as the most determined German soldier in the area. With a small squad of Grenadiers he launched a counterattack to retake the hill on his own initiative, which was now occupied by Soviet infantry as well as tanks. Despite these odds he and his men succeeded, though Magerfleisch would be wounded in the process. He nonetheless fought on and eliminated both the Soviet infantry and tank riders in the area around Hill 131 with MG fire.

He thus secured an important German tactical victory, but would unfortunately succumb to his injuries on the same day. In recognition of his selfless devotion to duty and its associated results he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Awarded posthumously.