- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)
- Unit:
- Zugführer, 3 Kompanie, Pionier-Bataillon 34, 34. Infanteriedivision
- Awarded on:
- August 31st, 1943
During the combat in the Orel salient in mid-1943, Feldwebel Hartmann and his Pionier-Zug succeeded in preventing every Soviet penetration into their sector over the course of three days of bitter close combat. On one occasion, as a tank-supported attack almost succeeded in breaking the German line, Hartmann and his men let the opposing tanks overrun them before taking on the hostile infantry. Despite being wounded he remained in control of his troops and the position remained in German hands. Hartmann would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross for his efforts in this time.