Gebauer, Fritz (Grenz-Pionier-Bataillon 74)

Date of birth:: February 5th, 1910 (Friedrichsfeld/Mannheim, Germany)
Date of death:: June 1944 (Orsha, Russia)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Kursk - Besedino
Nationality:: German

Biography

00.06.1944: MIA region Orsha between Orel - Bogoroditzkoje Orlovska - Ljed-
na - Nikolsskoje - Orlitza River - Rybnitza as Hauptmann and Chef 15.(Pi.)/ Stu.Rgt. 215
01.06.1960: AG Mannheim declared him officially dead

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:: Stoßtruppführer 3./Grenz-Pionier-Bataillon 74
Awarded on:: July 13th, 1940

The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Gebauer received the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 14.06.1940 Oberfeldwebel Fritz Gebauer succeeded in breaching a wide and deep anti-tank ditch (the so-called ‘Nied’, located between Ronnenwald and Fortress Group 92) in the face of powerful enemy MG and artillery fire from both the front and flank. The success of this audacious feat-of-arms, achieved at great price, allowed for follow-up friendly forces to conquer additional territory in this sector of the Maginot Line despite the presence of strong hostile fortifications.”

During this action Oberfeldwebel Gebauer and his Pioniere were able to breach the ditch by creating seven hastily-erected foot bridges across it.