Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef 7./Grenadier-Regiment 211

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1944

During May 1944 a force of US troops penetrated the lines of the 94. Infanterie-Division’s Füsilier-Bataillon, and fierce combat subsequently developed around Santa Maria Infante. The 71. Infanterie-Division was located to the immediate left of this Bataillon, and in response it sent in the 7./Grenadier-Regiment 211 (commanded by Hauptmann Steinbrenner) to help.

The Kompanie was in place by night of the 13./14.05.1944, and its assigned mission was to resolve the situation and restore a continuous German frontline. Incredibly, it managed to accomplish this task during the very same night. The American unit that had passed through the German lines (consisting of about 250 men that were presumably from the 351st Infantry Regiment of the 88th US Division) was taken prisoner, contact was reestablished with the Füsilieren and the frontline itself was ultimately restored.

The Kompanie went on to have a major role in holding the frontline against all enemy attacks on the next day. Although heavy losses were taken on both sides, the Germans perceived this success to be an impressive one due to the total lack of Allied pressure when the Kompanie disengaged on the night of the 14./15.05.1944.

Hauptmann Steinbrenner would subsequently receive the Knight’s Cross for this major accomplishment by his Kompanie.