Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer 4./Artillerie-Regiment 96

Awarded on:

January 20th, 1943

The following press article (dated 11.03.1943) describes why Heger was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“The Führer has awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Oberleutnant Rudolf Heger…

As an artillery officer, Oberleutnant Heger commanded his Batterie on the 22.11.1942 against the Soviet onslaught near Bujinowka during the defensive battles in the great Don bend. An attack from the north that took place during the night was repulsed, however a new Soviet force emerged in the morning at about 06:00. Consisting of about two regiments, the spearhead of their columns appeared in the rear of Oberleutnant Heger’s Batterie. The guns were turned around, and the Soviets were smashed with direct fire in a fierce battle that lasted for almost five hours. By the end of the fighting Oberleutnant Heger stood alone at a gun with his Batterie officer, while all remaining NCOs and men who were still alive were bringing up ammunition. On the afternoon of the same day fresh German forces arrived, and these completed the destruction of the enemy. For his heroic actions here Oberleutnant Heger was awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross. A short time afterwards he was heavily wounded by a hand grenade. This was his fifth wound of the war, one from which he has now recovered from.”