Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Unit:

Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 666, Heer

Awarded on:

January 22nd, 1944

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 01./02.04.1944) describes why Werner received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberfeldwebel Otto Werner… fought as a Zugführer in the 3. Schwadron of a schwere Heeres-Jägerabteilung during the combat northwest of Newel. Here he managed to destroy 17 tanks and an infantry gun within just a few hours. He inflicted heavy losses on the attacking Soviets and sealed off the hostile penetration on the hilltop his Zug was positioned on. The Oberfeldwebel’s skillful leadership and bravery here resolved a potentially disastrous situation for the entire regimental sector. However Oberfeldwebel Werner would die a hero’s death on the very same day whilst leading his Zug. The outstandingly brave Oberfeldwebel has now been posthumously awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”