Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 12./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 91

Awarded on:

April 3rd, 1943

Awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions on the 19.02.1943. The following press article (dated 27.03.1943) describes what he did on this day…

“The success of the recent fighting in the Kuban bridgehead often depended upon the decisiveness of naturally born leaders. A remarkable example of such a leader is Feldwebel Alois Gugganig, from Bad Gastein. In order to provide flank protection for his Division, he received the order to hold the edge of a village against every enemy attack with his Zug. However during the night several hundred Soviets broke into the village through a frontline gap near Gugganig’s sector. The Soviets fought through the fighting positions of three cannons and thrusted deeper into the defensive line, utilizing their surprise penetration for all it was worth.

To counter the danger of the position being overrun, the Feldwebel decided to counterattack with his Zug. Along with his Jäger he stormed forward against the 20-fold superior enemy, retaking some houses in bitter close combat and also recapturing the three cannons in an undamaged state. As the Soviets now began partially withdrawing, the Feldwebel immediately launched an energetic pursuit that put the broken-in enemy shock group to flight. Storming over the dead and wounded the enemy left behind, his Zug occupied the old main battle line and from there defended against all counterthrusts of the Soviets until he could follow the main body of friendly troops into new fighting positions as per orders.”