Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

stellvertretender Führer Grenadier-Regiment 579

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1944

As the German troops north of Odessa began their breakout attempt towards Romania in early 1944, Major Hyza and his regiment formed the spearhead of the 306. Infanterie-Division. He first fought through weak Soviet forces until reaching the village of Budeniwka in the early morning hours. Hyza realized that it was impossible to crack the strong Soviet defense here via a hasty attack, and there was no time for a deliberate attack as further Soviet forces were on their way from the northwest with the aim of blocking the German retreat route. Given these circumstances, Hyza determined the best course of action to be to simply march past the Soviet defenders at Budeniwka towards the southwest while accepting the risks in doing so. This bold maneuver succeeded.

Following this, Major Hyza took the bulk of his Grenadiers and moved against the heavily defended village of Bol. Karpiwka and the crucial high ground beyond that. The Soviet forces here had to be ejected at all costs. Despite the exhausted state of his men, Hyza was able to inspire them forwards while leading from the front. In a battle that lasted several hours, he and his men managed to storm the greater part of Bol. Karpiwka and the high ground to the south of it. With these he won crucial positions from which the retreat route of the entire Armee-Korps could be shielded from the Soviet reinforcements approaching from the northwest.

For this successful action, which was of decisive importance for the retreat movements of several German divisions, Major Hyza would receive the Knight’s Cross.