Gerhard Franz (26 February 1902 - 24 December 1975) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 24 July 1941 as Oberstleutnant and Ia 29. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert). The medal was awarded for his actions during the containment of the Bialystok pocket at the start of Operation Barbarossa. On the 30 June 1941 the divisional commander was forward with the Kampfgruppe of Oberst Thomas when a broken-through Soviet group with tanks tried to push back the right wing of the Infanterie-Regiment 15 and seize control of the bridge at Zelwa from the rear. In the absence of the divisional commander, Oberstleutnant i.G. Franz organized a new defensive line on his own initiative, and from here he smashed the attack of the broken-through Soviets. This hostile breakout attempt from the Bialystok pocket was defeated thanks to this ruthless and practical intervention by Oberstleutnant Franz.
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2310562#p2310562
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/30243/Franz-Gerhard.htm
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