Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef 1./Flak-Regiment 11

Awarded on:

February 14th, 1942

The following excerpt from Krebs’ Knight’s Cross recommendation describes the actions by which he would receive the award…

“On the 04.10.1941 a Soviet tank attack against the Orel train station was repelled thanks to the guns of the 1./Flak-Regiment 11 under the personal leadership of Hauptmann Krebs. Krebs directed the fire of his guns with unheard of ruthlessness and great courage, destroying two 52 ton tanks, one 28 ton tank and three 7 ton tanks. Only thanks to the bold performance of the 1. Batterie under the leadership of Hauptmann Krebs was it possible to prevent the penetration of Russian tanks into Orel. The city, which at the time was only occupied with weak forces, could thus be held.

In total his Batterie has destroyed the following materiel during the Russian campaign up until the 06.01.1942…

- 16 aircraft
- 23 tanks
- 2 enemy batteries
- 10 guns
- 5 MG nests
- 7 mortars
- 1 observation post
- 10 vehicles

In all this time it has participated in a total of 38 ground battles.”