Dr. Klaus Faulmüller (21 June 1917 - 25 October 1943) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 25 June 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 / 4.Gebirgs-Division.
The following divisional order of the day describes why Faulmüller would be awarded the Ritterkreuz:
“The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht has awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Oberleutnant d.R. Faulmüller, 7./Geb.Jäg.Rgt. 13.
On the 15 May 1943, during the fighting in the Neberdshajewskaja-Krymskaja area, Oberleutnant Faulmüller stormed the heavily fortified ‘Artillery Hill’ along with his Zug. Having done this on his own initiative, he proceeded to hold the hill against strong enemy counterattacks that were supported by tanks.
Through his bold initiative and outstanding personal courage, Oberleutnant Faulmüller prevented the collapse of our attack (which was taking heavy losses) at a crucial moment. The capture of this vital position enabled the neighbouring Bataillon to make contact at the front without any more significant losses.
The enemy suffered numerous casualties. 3 enemy tanks were destroyed in close combat, and many heavy weapons were captured.
I congratulate Oberleutnant der Reserve Faulmüller on behalf of the Division for this high honour. He is the 10th Ritterkreuzträger (Knight’s Cross Holder) of the 4. Gebirgs-Division.”
The following report in “Die Gebirgstruppe” 5/78 provides further details as to this action…
“During the combat in the Neberdshajewskaja-Krymskaja area (in the Kuban bridgehead) the Kampfgruppe of Eichenlaubträger Oberst Göbel commenced a counterattack. The enemy had achieved a penetration during their last major assault that had to be cleaned up, and an important hill in particular had to be recaptured.
Although the enemy rained down coordinated fire on the attacking troops with all weapons, the Grenadiers and Gebirgsjäger were initially able to make good progress and were able to advance to a point close to the summit of the hill. However at that stage the attack threatened to bog down in the formidable defense. Losses were being incurred, the leaders of both Kompanien deployed against the hill became casualties, and the neighbouring troops on the left and right were also beginning to falter.
Oberleutnant Faulmüller, commander of the 7./Geb.-Jäg.Rgt. 13, stood in reserve with a Zug. He was to move up forwards when the hill was captured. But now the situation had totally changed. All communication links were down. No orders could reach Faulmüller, and no inquiries from him to his superiors came through.
The young officer decided to take the course of action that aligned with his own attitude and the traditions of the German Heer. He went forward into the attack with his Zug, gathered up withdrawing elements from other Kompanien along with him and stormed against the hill. Riding on a Sturmgeschütz and firing an MG against the enemy while on the move, he penetrated into the hill position at the head of his Gebirgsjäger and rolled it up in bitter close combat, destroying several bunkers along with their crews. After this had been captured the bushy terrain behind the hill that still contained numerous enemies was cleared out. As a result the hill finally came under German control. The visible results of this battle were enemy losses of 102 prisoners, 78 dead, 1 artillery piece, 18 mortars and numerous MGs and anti-tank rifles.
However the Gebirgsjäger had barely managed to set up for defense when the enemy launched a counterthrust with the support of 16 tanks. At the moment armour-piercing weapons were not yet available, and it was not long before individual enemy tanks had pushed into the rear of the defenders in order to wreak havoc. Oberleutnant Faulmüller took up a captured anti-tank rifle and fired it against the oncoming steel monsters at the closest possible range. He knew that he could not hope to penetrate the enemy tank, but by doing so he did reassure his own troops and influence the enemy tank crews. The Gebirgsjäger took heart from his example. They destroyed 3 enemy tanks in close combat and bloodily repulsed the following enemy infantry.
Through his bold initiative and outstanding personal courage, Oberleutnant Faulmüller prevented the collapse of our attack (which was taking heavy losses) at a crucial moment. The capture of this vital position enabled the neighbouring Bataillon to make contact at the front without any more significant losses.”
“The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht has awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Oberleutnant d.R. Faulmüller, 7./Geb.Jäg.Rgt. 13.
On the 15 May 1943, during the fighting in the Neberdshajewskaja-Krymskaja area, Oberleutnant Faulmüller stormed the heavily fortified ‘Artillery Hill’ along with his Zug. Having done this on his own initiative, he proceeded to hold the hill against strong enemy counterattacks that were supported by tanks.
Through his bold initiative and outstanding personal courage, Oberleutnant Faulmüller prevented the collapse of our attack (which was taking heavy losses) at a crucial moment. The capture of this vital position enabled the neighbouring Bataillon to make contact at the front without any more significant losses.
The enemy suffered numerous casualties. 3 enemy tanks were destroyed in close combat, and many heavy weapons were captured.
I congratulate Oberleutnant der Reserve Faulmüller on behalf of the Division for this high honour. He is the 10th Ritterkreuzträger (Knight’s Cross Holder) of the 4. Gebirgs-Division.”
The following report in “Die Gebirgstruppe” 5/78 provides further details as to this action…
“During the combat in the Neberdshajewskaja-Krymskaja area (in the Kuban bridgehead) the Kampfgruppe of Eichenlaubträger Oberst Göbel commenced a counterattack. The enemy had achieved a penetration during their last major assault that had to be cleaned up, and an important hill in particular had to be recaptured.
Although the enemy rained down coordinated fire on the attacking troops with all weapons, the Grenadiers and Gebirgsjäger were initially able to make good progress and were able to advance to a point close to the summit of the hill. However at that stage the attack threatened to bog down in the formidable defense. Losses were being incurred, the leaders of both Kompanien deployed against the hill became casualties, and the neighbouring troops on the left and right were also beginning to falter.
Oberleutnant Faulmüller, commander of the 7./Geb.-Jäg.Rgt. 13, stood in reserve with a Zug. He was to move up forwards when the hill was captured. But now the situation had totally changed. All communication links were down. No orders could reach Faulmüller, and no inquiries from him to his superiors came through.
The young officer decided to take the course of action that aligned with his own attitude and the traditions of the German Heer. He went forward into the attack with his Zug, gathered up withdrawing elements from other Kompanien along with him and stormed against the hill. Riding on a Sturmgeschütz and firing an MG against the enemy while on the move, he penetrated into the hill position at the head of his Gebirgsjäger and rolled it up in bitter close combat, destroying several bunkers along with their crews. After this had been captured the bushy terrain behind the hill that still contained numerous enemies was cleared out. As a result the hill finally came under German control. The visible results of this battle were enemy losses of 102 prisoners, 78 dead, 1 artillery piece, 18 mortars and numerous MGs and anti-tank rifles.
However the Gebirgsjäger had barely managed to set up for defense when the enemy launched a counterthrust with the support of 16 tanks. At the moment armour-piercing weapons were not yet available, and it was not long before individual enemy tanks had pushed into the rear of the defenders in order to wreak havoc. Oberleutnant Faulmüller took up a captured anti-tank rifle and fired it against the oncoming steel monsters at the closest possible range. He knew that he could not hope to penetrate the enemy tank, but by doing so he did reassure his own troops and influence the enemy tank crews. The Gebirgsjäger took heart from his example. They destroyed 3 enemy tanks in close combat and bloodily repulsed the following enemy infantry.
Through his bold initiative and outstanding personal courage, Oberleutnant Faulmüller prevented the collapse of our attack (which was taking heavy losses) at a crucial moment. The capture of this vital position enabled the neighbouring Bataillon to make contact at the front without any more significant losses.”
Source :
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https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/30075/Faulm%C3%BCller-Klaus-Georg.htm
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