Vincon, Otto

Date of birth:: January 23rd, 1906 (Petrouse/Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:: April 13th, 1945 (Wildbad-Kaltenbronn/Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Otto Vincon was reported missing in action near Wildbad on April 13th, 1945.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: March 19th, 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: August 1st, 1941

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:: Chef, 5. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 470, 260. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: August 3rd, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:: Stellvertretender Führer, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 460, 260. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: December 3rd, 1943

On the 27.10.1943 Vincon planned a counterattack with the goal of recapturing two heights and the lost main defensive line at Teploje. He formed three shock groups, and these began their attack from different directions starting at 06:30. Vincon led one of these groups (containing 6 men), and they began clearing out their old trenches with only mixed success. They were reduced to just 2 men plus Vincon at one point in the fighting, but were eventually reinforced by men from Vincon's staff along with a flamethrower. This addition of force enabled them to finally eliminate the Soviets occupying the German line, and after a failed hostile counterattack soon afterwards the old line was back in German hands by 16:30. Vincon played a major role in this success, despite being wounded during the fighting. He was thus awarded the Knight's Cross.

Nahkampfspange in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Unit:: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 460, 260. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: January 8th, 1945

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Unit:: Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 460, 260. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: February 5th, 1945

With the coming of the Soviet Operation Bagration in June 1944, Vincon's Division found itself among the German units in the path of the offensive and was forced to retreat. Vincon was awarded the Knight's Cross following a long retreat back to German lines, with the timeline playing out as follows...

26.06.1944 - Retreat of Vincon's Bataillon to Tscherwen.
27.06.1944 - Defeat of 5 Soviet attacks by Vincon's troops.
28.06.1944 - Attack on Brachtschino from the march with 5 Sturmgeschütze and 3 light tank destroyers, which succeeded in taking the town and capturing 50 prisoners. Creek bottom near Achimkowitschi reached at midnight.
29.06.1944 - Successful capture of the Lichinitschi—Teterin road.
30.06.1944 - Capture of Chapry.
01.07.1944 - Opening up the retreat route in the area of Ssomry.
05.07.1944 - Breakout of the remnants of the 260. Infanterie-Division starting at 23:00. By this time it was down to just 10 officers and 760 men, who were gathered at Aptschak under the command of the now wounded Major Vincon. These attempted to break through the forest in small groups, with varying degrees of success.
End of August 1944 - Vincon and his group of survivors reach the German lines at Dombrowa, 40 km west of Grodno.

728th Award.