Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Bau-Pionier

Unit:

5. Kompanie, Pionier-Ersatz-und Ausbildungs-Bataillon 3

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1945

At the start of February 1945, as the Red Army winter offensive continued inexorably forwards, the German 9. Armee intended to prevent the still intact bridge over the Oder at Fürstenberg (upstream of Frankfurt) from falling into the hands of the advancing Soviet 33rd Army. However they could not do so immediately as lots of refugees from Warthegau, Silesia and East Brandenburg were still fleeing across. It would thus only be blown at the last moment.

As the Soviets got to within striking distance of the bridge, it was finally decided that the middle part of the bridge would be blown on the 04.02.1945. A Leutnant, a Feldwebel, an Unteroffizier and the 47 year-old Bau-Pionier Jürgensen from the 5./Pionier-Ersatz-und Ausbildungs-Bataillon were taking cover in a trench on the west side of the river that morning when the Leutnant attempted to ignite the charges. However, due to the wiring having been severed by shell splinters, the explosives did not detonate. The Leutnant immediately ran onto the bridge, but he was hit by a shell splinter to the head and died.

Now the Feldwebel and the Unteroffizier also emerged from their trench, while Jürgensen led the way with a grenade in hand. Running to the middle of the bridge, he threw his primed grenade into the nine metre deep detonation chamber in the bridge span. He then had only four seconds to get away. The ensuing explosion, however, was quite violent and parts of the bridge literally flew into the air. Jürgensen and his two comrades did not get away in time and all were hurled to their deaths.

Due to the extremely important significance of these actions, the 9. Armee put the highest priority on awarded this brave soldier appropriately. As such his reception of both classes of Iron Cross and the Knight’s Cross were processed in an exceptionally short time, and he received the high award the very next day posthumously.

Awarded posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Bau-Pionier

Awarded on:

February 6th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Bau-Pionier

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)