Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

Gruppenführer 3./Pionier-Bataillon 263

Awarded on:

November 18th, 1944

During the First Battle of Courland Unteroffizier Kölsch (of the 263. Infanterie-DivIsion) received the order to blow up an important bridge 150 metres behind the Soviet main battle line with a group of four men. After overcoming the difficult terrain under very bad weather conditions, he made it past the opposing main line and reached the bridge with the explosives. After lighting the fuses the troop began moving back to German lines.

However when the detonation did take place Unteroffizier Kölsch realized that only one charge had actually gone off, while the rest of the bridge remained intact. On his own initiative, and despite the already breaking daylight, Kölsch made his way back to the bridge. Under strong hostile fire he brought up a bomb in the area and set it up for ignition at the bridge. This time it went up for good. Now Kölsch and his party were forced to fight their way out, but they somehow managed to make it back to their lines without loss.

The result of their raid was that the Soviet units behind the bridge were no longer able to cross and commence their operation. Thus, by his personal bravery and initiative, Kölsch brought about a decisive result for the sector of the whole Division. For this he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.