Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 81, 15. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1945

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

“On the 14.04.1945 the 1./Gren.Rgt. 81 came under very heavy anti-tank gun and mortar fire. This bombardment only continued to increase, and heralded the commencement of a Russian attack. The Kompanie commander, Leutnant Reinbacher, immediately decided to take a patrol of 5 men to clarify the situation.

Despite the heavy artillery and mortar fire he and his men managed to reach Russian territory without being noticed. Here they suddenly observed a Russian battery that was in the process of trying to get into position. He and his men therefore crept up to the guns and assailed them with loud cries of ‘Hurra’. The brave commander and his men prevailed over the enemy following brutal close combat. They slaughtered a portion of the gun crews (including a Russian captain) and captured 3 guns (7.62 cm) along with a number of prisoners. As only 2 horse teams were immediately available, he sent 1 men with these back towards Predposacka. The third gun had to be destroyed with a Panzerfaust.

The enemy proceeded to launch multiple desperate counterthrusts in an attempt to prevent the withdrawal of the guns. However Leutnant Reinbacher and his men launched their own attacks in response, and the foe was always driven off. As one of the horse teams was killed in the process, he and his men brought it back to friendly lines using their own strength.

Leutnant Reinbacher was wounded by shell splinters in the head and right knee in the process of carrying out this bold raid. However the operation ultimately ended in success, with 15 counted enemy dead, 2 captured guns, 1 ammunition vehicle, 2 light machine-guns and 3 machine-pistols being the spoils of the victory.

Later, at 21:00 that day, he transferred command of his Kompanie to a Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and began heading towards the Bataillon command post alone. As he did so he encountered a Russian MG crew that had infiltrated friendly lines. Acting quickly, he attacked this MG nest all on his own and eliminated 2 men as well as the enemy MG. Then he continued on towards the Bataillon command post.

His heroic bravery, determined actions and admirable readiness for duty did not only inflict high losses upon the enemy, but also resulted in the captured of materiel. By capturing these guns he enabled his Kompanie to repulse all subsequent attacks despited having the bare minimum of fighting strength.”

According to Scherzer as Leutnant d.R.