Glaser, Friedrich (Grenadier-Regiment 253)

Date of birth:: November 13th, 1920 (Hambach/Neustadt, Germany)
Date of death:: March 16th, 1999 (Neustadt, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Richtschütze, 14. Kompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 253, 34. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: November 2nd, 1943

On the 06.09.1943 Obergefreiter Glaser was the gunner of a 7.5 cm Pak (located in camouflaged positions just behind the infantry of his Division) during a Soviet armoured attack. The gun immediately adjacent to him was knocked out relatively quickly when it opened fire on the Soviet armour from too great a range, with both the gun and its crew being lost. Although Glaser’s own Pak received damage to its elevating/traversing mechanism, Glaser and his comrades nevertheless were able to knock out 8 opposing tanks and thereby make a major contribution to the prevention of a Soviet breakthrough.

Glaser would be awarded the Knight’s Cross in recognition of both his hard-won success here as well as his previous achievements as an Pak gunner.

Sources

Photo 1: Russ Nummer
- HUß, JÜRGEN & SONDERMANN, HEINZ-WERNER, Ritterkreuzträger im Mannschaftsstand 1941-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2009.
- Russ Nummer