- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
- Unit:
- Zugführer Pionier-Zug 5. / Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11
- Awarded on:
- June 12th, 1944
On the 31.03.1944 the Soviets launched a battalion sized attack against the bridgehead held by the Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11, and managed to compress the bridgehead. In response Oberfeldwebel Harthan immediately commenced a counterthrust with his Pionier Zug. This bold move succeeded, with Harthan and his Zug killing, capturing or driving away about 300 Soviet soldiers. It furthermore made such an impression on the enemy that they only began initiating new combat actions in the area two days later. Harthan would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions.