Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 14th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 17th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, 6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 948, 359. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1945

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

“On the night of the 16./17.01.1945 the enemy attacked a thinly held section of frontline at Przeslawice, which was held by the I. Zug of 6./Grenadier-Regiment 948 at the time. Their force (which consisted of 2 companies supported by two 7.62 cm anti-tank guns) was able to achieve a penetration at this location under the cover of darkness.

This location constituted a vital keystone for the defensive front in the area, as a continued Russian advance along the road would enable them to roll up our frontline from the flank and rear and thereby allow them to achieve their intended breakthrough.

Unteroffizier Weichsel quickly understood the magnitude of the situation, and so (without orders to do so) he advanced against the first enemy anti-tank gun position whilst eliminating as many Russians as he could along the way. Acting swiftly, he was able to knock out the still-active gun crew with hand grenades and his machine-pistol. He then used the gun to fire high-explosive rounds into the rear and flank of the advancing enemy force, which was in turn thrown into complete confusion.

After all his ammunition had been expended, Unteroffizier Weichsel worked his way back to friendly territory. From here he immediately rounded up 3 soldiers and stormed against the enemy infantry with them. Their loud cries of ‘Hurra’ and rapid rate of fire created the impression of a much larger contingent, and this enabled them to repeatedly push back much larger enemy groups. By striking from multiple directions he and his men succeeded in inflicting significant losses on the foe.

Eventually Unteroffizier Weichsel made his way to the second Russian anti-tank gun (which was still in active combat). Unteroffizier Weichsel took out its crew in close combat, although this time he was wounded in the process. In spite of this Unteroffizier Weichsel again shot off the still remaining high-explosive rounds against the enemy before finally blowing up the gun.

In total the Russians sustained the following losses at the hands of Unteroffizier Weichsel:

26 counted dead
2 heavy anti-tank guns
1 heavy machine-gun
3 light machine-guns
2 submachine guns
24 rifles.

In all this time Unteroffizier Weichsel had acted on his own initiative in the darkness, and most of the time he operated completely alone whilst either storming against or ambushing the enemy. His deeds here were decisive in preventing this Russian breakthrough attempt, and this outcome was of major importance for the continuation of the defensive battle here.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 24th, 1944