Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, III. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 96, 32. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1943

The following newspaper article (dated 23.03.1943) describes why Zahn was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Schneidemühler Grenadiers - Knight’s Cross for the Bataillon commander:

… Hauptmann Zahn and his Bataillon of Schneidemühler Grenadiers found themselves totally alone in positions south of Lake Ilmen. For 24 hours they smashed wave after wave of far numerically superior Bolsheviks, all while under heavy artillery fire. Despite being wounded twice he continued to fight with a weapon in hand at the head of his Grenadiers until a third wound finally incapacitated him.”