Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Kompanie-Chef Jäger-Regiment 54

Awarded on:

December 9th, 1944

On the 14.10.1944 a regimental sized Soviet force broke through the frontline of the Jäger-Regiment 54 between two strongpoints, thrusting through to the road beyond. In response Hauptmann Kühnfels subordinated the regimental Pionier-Kompanie as well as the all available soldiers from the regimental staff to himself and then set out to meet the attackers. He and his reinforced Kompanie assembled for a counterattack just in front of a large clearing.

The men took cover behind trees and hastily erected covering positions, and were ordered to only open fire when the signal whistle was blown. It did not take long for the Soviets to arrive, and they approached over the clearing in thick masses. The Germans opened fire on them at a range of 50 metres, and the surprised Soviets quickly faltered and broke before the onrushing Jäger. The follow-up Soviet soldiers were caught in the retreat, and the Germans soon reached the ridge that once represented the old frontline.

At this point the Red Army soldiers reassembled and launched a counterthrust of their own. The Pionier-Kompanie lost control of the commanding ridge, but only temporarily. Hauptmann Kühnfels attacked once again just before nightfall and managed to reclaim the ridge. A battle raged for it during the first half of that night, and the high ground changed hands no fewer than 13 times. However the Germans ultimately remained in control of the position, and with the aid of an improvised loudspeaker Hauptmann Kühnfels was able to persuade over 100 Ukrainian, Polish and Russian soldiers to desert from their assembly areas.

He would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this outstanding tactical victory.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)