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Friday, September 11, 2020

Ritterkreuz Action of Arnold Jürgensen


Arnold Jürgensen (17 May 1910 - 23 December 1944) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 16 October 1944 as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 / 12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend". Jürgensen’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:

“SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen has participated in all the campaigns of this war. He is the commander of the I.(Panther)-Abteilung of the SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 and has in this capacity especially distinguished himself in the fighting on the Invasion front by great bravery and prudent leadership. In the battles on the Invasion front his Abteilung destroyed 321 enemy tanks under his command.

That said SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen conducted himself particularly well during the fighting on the 8 August 1944. On the previous day (the 7 August 1944) the enemy succeeded in breaking through the positions of the 89. Infanterie-Division in the sector Garcelles—Laize Mündung (in the area south of Caen). In response SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen was on the 8 August 1944 dispatched from the sector of the left neighbouring Division in order to prepare for a counterattack in the area north of Rouvres. In this area he was however surprised by the sudden appearance of about 60 enemy tanks.

SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen went over to the attack with his tanks without delay, retook the commanding Hill 140 and brought the enemy assault to a halt. By this it was possible for us to once again occupy the ordered positions that were best suited for the terrain. An enemy breakthrough towards Falaise was also rendered impossible by this action. The Panzers led by SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen were able to destroy 32 enemy tanks during this fighting. SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen was himself wounded in the battle, however continued to lead his unit until the conclusion of the fighting.

The energetic, brave leadership of SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen is to be credited for the fact that the enemy was unable to break through to Falaise on the 8 August 1944. His exemplary leadership is also responsible for the long-term success of his Panther-Abteilung, which destroyed over 300 enemy tanks during the 10 weeks of combat on the Invasion front.

I hold SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgensen as being worthy of the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”

Source :
Adolfo Diaz photo collection
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13544/J%FCrgensen-Arnold-Bernhard.htm?c=aw
https://www.vojsko.net/armady/126-waffen-ss/velitele/1129-arnold-j-rgensen

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