Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 30th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer, 5. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 1124, 558. Volksgrenadier-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1945

Lukas’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 19.02.1945 Oberfeldwebel Lukas distinguished himself by rendering a feat of battle-deciding importance whilst serving as commander of a light infantry-gun Zug in the Kollmisch-Gehdau area. On this day Lukas and his Zug were attached to II. Bataillon as it was marching behind the right-wing Regiment of the 21. Infanterie-Division. The Bataillon reached the area north of Kollmisch-Gehdau in the early morning hours, and almost immediately afterwards the Russians began an attack.

This assault (carried out after a powerful artillery barrage) served as a continuation of their main thrust against the southern front of the East Prussian frontline salient. Those friendly forces arrayed in front of the Bataillon were ejected from the area south of Nallaben, and the bulk of these fled towards the north. The hotly pursuing enemy troops succeeded in taking Nallaben itself.

The Russians then carried on towards the north with a force of 2 companies escorted by self-propelled guns and 1 tank. At that time II. Bataillon was still not yet properly ready for defense. It was in this situation that Oberfeldwebel Lukas decided to engage the attackers with his 4 light infantry guns, which proceeded to pour shot after shot into the oncoming Russians from open firing positions. Despite the strong fire from the self-propelled guns as well as ongoing artillery and mortar bombardment, he stayed beside his guns and continued to hammer the enemy. Over 40 dead Russians eventually dotted the battlefield, and the remainder were forced to pull back.

This decisive act of initiative and bravery did not only repulse the attack, but also bought time for the II./Gr.Rgt. 1124 to occupy a security line in a critical situation. This heroic deed was of major importance, as a hostile thrust into the Schonberg area would have disrupted the arrival of the bulk of the 558. Volks-Grenadier-Division and would furthermore have collapsed most of the thinly held frontline in the area.

Oberfeldwebel Lukas is an aggressive and dutiful fighter. His deed prevented the Russians from surprising the Division as it was still marching up to the combat zone. This battle-deciding feat deserves to be recognized with the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

After this the same author (Generalleutnant Kullmer, the divisional commander) would write up an addendum to this initial recommendation…

“On the 01.03.1945 Oberfeldwebel Lukas once again distinguished himself as the enemy continued their offensive in the sector south of Groß-Lutkenfurst. Despite strong fire from all weapons he ultimately had a significant share in successfully fending off several enemy attacks. In the process Oberfeldwebel Lukas was badly wounded.”