Herbst, Josef

Date of birth:: January 29th, 1915 (Kattowitz/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:: August 20th, 1995 (St. Augustin-Mülldorf/Bonn, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer II./Füsilier-Regiment "GD" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland"
Awarded on:: September 30th, 1943

During the first days of September 1943 the II./Panzerfüsilier-Regiment GD was engaged in heavy defensive combat near Kotelwa. The Soviets attacked the positions of the Bataillon for several days in a row. The commander of the German Bataillon, Oberleutnant Herbst, was a constant presence in the middle of the battle during this time despite being hindered by a prosthetic leg. Herbst and his men (who were inspired by the bold example of their commander) succeeded in thwarting all breakthrough attempts of the Soviets in bitter close combat, and in doing so made a major contribution to the conduct of operations in this area. For his role in bringing about this result, Oberleutnant Herbst would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.