Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 4./Grenadier-Regiment 446

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1944

In early 1944 a large Soviet attack was launched against the positions of Grenadier-Regiment 446 with the aim of breaking through the German frontline and potentially encircling the regiment. In response Feldwebel Jentzsch and an MG squad formed a strongpoint in a graveyard far ahead of the main German line. Despite hostile penetrations on both sides, Jentzsch and his handful of men were able to hold off all Soviet attacks from their hedgehog position and feign a much stronger force with the intense battle noises.

Despite being completely cut off, the group would hold out for 26 hours and prevent the Regiment’s front from being rolled up in the process. Only after almost all ammunition had been expended did Jentzsch decide to pull back to friendly lines under cover of night. Following bitter close combat, the group succeeded in breaking through to the rest of the Regiment, which had already written them off as lost 8 hours prior to this. Jentzsch would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his brave and decisive actions during this battle.