Glander, Erwin

Date of birth:: August 8th, 1918 (Ahrensburg/Oldesloe/Schleswih-Holstein, Germany)
Date of death:: August 2nd, 1944 (Staszów/General Government, Poland)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Führer 2./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 210
Awarded on:: September 21st, 1944

On the 02.08.1944 Leutnant Glander engaged a spearhead of the 1st Ukrainian front in the area southwest of Sandomierz. He engaged a large force of enemy armour near Staczów with three assault guns of his own, and a nerve-wracking tank battle ensued. Despite the enemy superiority Glander deployed his Sturmgeschütze with great skill, destroying many enemy T-34 tanks. However soon his force began to take losses of its own. Eventually both of his subordinated Sturmgeschütze were knocked out, and only Glander himself remained.

Now Glander decided to gamble everything on a furious attack, and charged into the enemy with all guns blazing. The Soviets were caught off guard by this attack and fled. The handful of Grenadiers who were defending Staczów rejoiced at the sight of the enemy being beaten in this manner, however in this moment of victory Glander’s Sturmgeschütz received a direct hit and exploded with no survivors.

Glander would be recommended for the Knight’s Cross as a result of his bravery on this day.

Awarded posthumously.