Fritz Fechner received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 6 October 1943 as Major and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Panzer-Regiment 23 / 9.Panzer-Division. The medal was awarded for his Abeilung’s exceptional achievements in the time period 4-16 September 1943. A particular success came on the 11 September 1943. On this day Fechner led a newly assembled armoured group (comprised of the II./Pz.Rgt. 23, elements of the Pz.Rgt. 33, the II./Pz.A.R. 102, the 3./Pz.Pi.Bt. 86 and the I./Pz.Gr.Rgt. 11) out of Podubnyj, advanced through Iwanowka and Fedrowka to the north, and thereafter captured Kamenka and the Meshewaja train station while utilizing the shock effect of a friendly Stuka attack. By this action the supply road for the Soviet 23rd Tank Corps (which had broken through to the west) was blocked. In a further thrust towards Poputnyj the gap between the 6. Armee and 1. Panzer-Armee was almost closed. The Ritterkreuz recommendation was Submitted on 2 October 1943, while Preliminary document and decoration on 12 October 1943 to 1. Panzerarmee.
Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/?post_id=896721340823306
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/4234/Fechner-Fritz.htm
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