Gattermann, Helmut

Date of birth:: February 18th, 1912 (Zeitz, Germany)
Date of death:: May 8th, 1945 (Grieben, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef 1./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 209
Awarded on:: August 12th, 1944

On the 19.07.1944 the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 209, commanded by Hauptmann Gattermann, was attached to the III./Jäger-Regiment 83 (which was positioned to the north of Grodek). On the next day the Soviets attacked the Bataillon, and repeatedly penetrated the line. However they in turn were thrown back time and again by counterthrusts supported by Gattermann’s Sturmgeschütze. Despite this success the enemy did break through in the neighbouring sector, and the Bataillon was thus forced to pull back to a new defensive position west of Bialystok between Baciezki and Starosielce.

The Soviets pursued fiercely, and constant fighting would take place in the days that followed. On the 27.07.1944 the Soviets finally managed to push back the left wing of the Jäger with overwhelming forces of their own. The Regiment thus dispatched its last reserves, the Pionier-Kompanie along with the Sturmgeschütz-Batterie, for a counterthrust. In an energetic attack the old defensive position was retaken and the enemy pursued by the Sturmgeschütze as far as the Starosielce railway station.

Two days later a Soviet armoured attack penetrated through the lines of the neighbouring Regiment located to the south. To prevent an imminent breakthrough the Pioniere and Sturmgeschütze were again dispatched to the area. This group struck the flank of the enemy armoured formation from Hill 151.5 (located west of Starosielce), and following a bitter battle the old frontline was retaken. Thus the breakthrough was hindered at the last minute, a success that would not have been possible without Hauptmann Gattermann and his Sturmgeschütze, who destroyed the bulk of the enemy armour.

For the invaluable assistance he and his men rendered during this time period, Hauptmann Gattermann would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.