Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Awarded on:

August 18th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 241

Awarded on:

October 18th, 1941

In August 1941 a strong Soviet armoured attack overran the German frontline and proceeded towards the firing positions of the I./A.R. 241. The Abteilung commander, Major Reinhardt, proceeded at the firing positions of his Batterien in order to directly lead his men against the coming onslaught. By the time he arrived his guns had already destroyed 2 Soviet tanks at long range.

A number of Soviet heavy tanks were among the advancing armour, and so the German gunners allowed the tanks to come within a few hundred metres before opening fire. Several Soviet tanks were destroyed with the first volleys. Then a single Soviet tank emerged from the rear and got amongst the guns themselves. The German gunners rushed into their trenches, however they were quick to reoccupy their cannons as soon as the Soviet tank had turned its turret in the other direction. The crew of one gun reoriented its barrel towards the tank and hit it from a range of just a few metres. A Soviet officer that emerged from the tank to continue the fight with a sub machine-gun was killed in close combat.

Major Reinhardt rushed from gun to gun during the battle in order to encourage his gunners. The Abteilung ultimately destroyed 16 tanks in this engagement, including a number of heavy models. This was enough to bring the Soviet armoured attack to a halt, and the result was that their intended breakthrough did not come to pass.

Major Reinhardt would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for leading his Abteilung to victory in this battle.

Awarded posthumously.