Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 185

Awarded on:

September 29th, 1941

Awarded for his numerous successes during the early stages of Operation Barbarossa. He distinguished himself once as the commander of the Vorausabteilung of the 58. Infanterie-Division in its thrust to Lake Peipus. But his most important achievement came on the 25.08.1941. On this day he conducted a reconnaissance of the forest south of Kotlys, on the flank of the vanguard of the XXXVIII. Armeekorps, and came across an enemy assembly area. Without hesitation Krafft attacked the numerically superior enemy, destroyed a number of tanks, and smashed what could have been a dangerous Soviet flank attack before it even began. By this he helped to ensure the continued advance of the Germans towards Leningrad.

From the 22.06.-31.08.1941 his Batterie destroyed the following enemy materiel…

- 36 AFVs
- 19 artillery pieces
- 12 anti-tank guns
- 6 AA guns
- 6 mortars
- 57 heavy machine guns
- 12 tractors
- 23 trucks
- 60 horse drawn wagons