Lippelt, Rudolf (Artillerie-Regiment 371)

Date of birth:: January 7th, 1915 (Eutin/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Date of death:: October 7th, 1995 (Eutin/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur, II. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 371, 371. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: May 9th, 1945

Lippelt’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 15.03.1945, following a strong artillery preparation, the enemy succeeded in penetrating deep into our defensive zone east of Gr. Neukirch. By around 10:00 enemy tanks and mounted infantry had reached the eastern edge of Schneidenburg, where Major Lippelt’s Batterien and command post were located.

Major Lippelt recognized the situation for what it was and rallied all available forces in Schneidenburg on his own initiative. With these men he established a new defensive line in front of the village edge (which was itself located on high ground).

He then used both his own Abteilung as well as artillery fire from the rest of the Regiment to smash several tank assembly areas just before the village. In the subsequent 2 hours of combat that followed, all enemy attacks collapsed before the direct fire of his Batterien and in the deadly crossfire of the MGs that had been hastily brought into place. Major Lippelt personally rushed from place to place, unfettered by the strong enemy fire. He inspired his men and personally repositioned his handful of men and weapons to the spots they were needed most.

As the ammunition of the foremost Batterie began to run low, the enemy finally succeeded at about 13:00 in penetrating through this unit. However the elevated village edge, whereupon Major Lippelt fought as the soul of the resistance, continued to hold. The strength of the defence gradually weakened as casualties were incurred. At around 15:00 a new, large enemy assembly area with tanks was identified. There was no doubt that this force would also join in the attack against Schneidenburg.

In these circumstances Major Lippelt made the bold decision to launch an immediate counterattack that would both recapture his lost Batterie and simultaneously cripple the enemy’s attacking power. Following an effective barrage by the entire Artillerie-Regiment, he and his men burst forth with cries of Hurra. Although his men were unaccustomed to fighting as infantry the attack succeeded in overrunning the enemy and recapturing the previously lost Batterie. Advancing further ahead, Major Lippelt eliminated the enemy trenches 200 metres in front of the Batterie, taking prisoners as he did so. Then, under ever increasing enemy fire, he and his men manually hauled the guns out of there and took them to a new battle position.

His personal actions thereby led to the reoccupation of the old line in front of the village, and all new enemy attacks up until nightfall were ultimately repulsed.

Major Lippelt’s iron will resulted in a feat-of-arms that decisively contributed to the enemy’s failure in breaking through the front at Schneidenburg. In this time he was always to be found in the midst of wherever the situation was most serious. With about 40 men, a few MGs and 4 Hetzers he held the position against an enemy that had brought 25 tanks and at least 300 men into the battle by the time dusk fell. During the night a new frontline was created and, having completed his mission, Major Lippelt fell back from the positions that had been successfully held until then.”

His nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) on 15-4-1945. A file card in the registry for approved or rejected nominations was created. Major Joachim Domaschk requested a statement from one of Lippelt's commanding officers in the command chain on 15 April. Major Domaschk approved the nomination on 7-5-1945 and noted: "Knight's Cross yes". There is no evidence that this nomination was further processed. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.