Wolfgang Meinhold (8 October 1902 - 3 April 1945) in a picture taken in May 1943. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 May 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 12.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 122 / 50.Infanterie-Division. On the night of 25-26 March 1943 the frontline of the 50. Infanterie-Division came under a fierce Soviet bombardment that lasted throughout the night and the following morning. After this was finished the Soviet infantry attacked at 13:00, but were repulsed. They renewed their attack with additional forces, but were once again stopped in front of the German minefields. A new Soviet force of 24 tanks with mounted infantry then took their turn to attack. German artillery and MG fire managed to separate the infantry from the tanks. Divisional and corps reserves were dispatched to the area but by the time the arrived the situation had already been dealt with. Oberleutnant Meinhold had assembled parts of his Kompanie and the battalion reserve of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 122 and launched an energetic counterattack. The Soviet infantry and 6 tanks were eliminated and a further 8 tanks immobilized. Only 2 enemy tanks were ultimately able to escape. For his role in smashing this Soviet force Meinhold would be decorated with the Ritterkreuz.
Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35516/e56854a1b1c913864d26f94481f7f758/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/11862/Meinhold-Dr-Wolfgang.htm
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